Category Archives: Local Faces

Mental Health: Rewriting the Narrative – Part 3

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Hopeless vs. Empowered: Learn how to move from existing to living

#ThereIsAlwaysHope: empower yourself and others to go from simply existing to truly living (Courtesy, pxhere.com)


By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org

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 Narrative resources 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.

You can also text “HOME” to the Crisis Text Line: 741741, or text “nice” to the Crisis Text Line: 741741 to be connected with a be nice. crisis counselor.

Search for local treatment in your area: Local Resources.

Support for LGBTQ youth: The Trevor Project.


Click here for full video: Lived Experience

Mental Health: Rewriting the Narrative – Part 2

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, How-To's, Kent County, Local Faces, Voices, West Michigan, , , , , , , ,

Suicide survivors and clinicians challenge stigma surrounding mental illness

Stigma surrounding mental illness can be eradicated through knowledge and understanding (Courtesy, pxhere.com)


By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org

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.

You can also text “HOME” to the Crisis Text Line: 741741, or text “nice” to the Crisis Text Line: 741741 to be connected with a be nice. crisis counselor.

Search for local treatment in your area: Local Resources.

Support for LGBTQ youth: The Trevor Project.

*Find more Mental Health: Rewriting the Narrative resources by clicking here.


Click here for full video: Clinician Experience

Mental Health: Rewriting the Narrative – Part 1

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A grieving mother gives voice to her daughter’s pain

Jessica Gregory’s journal and last letter to her mother (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)


By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org

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.”

Dr. Valencia Agnew of Adolescent and Family Behavioral Services agrees.

“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.

You can also text “HOME” to the Crisis Text Line: 741741, or text “nice” to the Crisis Text Line: 741741 to be connected with a be nice. crisis counselor.

Search for local treatment in your area: Local Resources.

Support for LGBTQ youth: The Trevor Project.

*Find more Mental Health: Rewriting the Narrative resources by clicking here.


Click here for full video: Lived Experience

Upcoming comedy show to celebrate Women’s History Month on March 3

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Entertainment, Going Local, Kent County, Local Entertainment, Local Faces, Upcoming Events, West Michigan, , , ,
Celebrate seven funny women at SNF’s special March show! (Courtesy, Brian B. SNF)


By WKTV Staff

deborah@wktv.org


The second annual March Women’s History Month comedy show, presented by The Sunday Night Funnies (SNF), is set for Sunday, March 3.

“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.

The free admission show starts at 7:30 p.m. and is performed at the Spectrum Entertainment Complex in Wyoming, MI.

Go big or go home: Wyoming High School art students decorate the halls in tape

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Daira (left) and Deborah with their 3D tape art creation (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)


By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org


3D images created with only tape can be found in the halls of WHS (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

Students have painted Wyoming High School’s halls – with tape.

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.

National recognition for Beacon Hill at Eastgate reveals dedication and passion for serving local senior community

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(Courtesy, Beacon Hill)

By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org


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.

Local award-winning author Susie Finkbeiner gives a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the literary world

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Local author, Susie Finkbeiner, shared literary insights with WKTV Managing Editor Deborah Reed on WKTV Journal Soundbites (Courtesy, WKTV)


By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org


(Courtesy, Susie Finkbeiner)

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.

A literary legacy

The Library of Michigan Association hailed The All-American as one of 2024’s Michigan Notable Books.

(Courtesy photo)

Finkbeiner considers the award a great honor.

“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.

New multi-sensory exhibit at GRAM aims to spark conversation about Mexican-American border

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A discarded teddy bear in Sunland Park, NM (Courtesy, GRAM)


By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org


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.

Veterans screen video of return to Vietnam, discuss war experiences and healing

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(Courtesy, Tom Sibley)


By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org


Veterans gathered for a screening of Our Trip on Feb. 1 at the Grand Rapids Michigan Veteran Homes (MVH).

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.

East Kentwood student selected for All-State Jazz Band, performs at state music conference

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Robel Abebe with his family at the Michigan Music Conference (Courtesy, Sho Dembinski)


By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org


Robel Abebe performs with the All-State Jazz Band at the MMC (Courtesy, Sho Dembinski)

Robel Abebe, senior at East Kentwood High School, performed with the All-State Jazz Band at the 19th annual Michigan Music Conference (MMC) last weekend.

“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.

MSBOA All-State

The MSBOA All-State program was established during the 2005-06 school year.

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.

Women’s City Club celebrates 100 years of empowering women and serving their community

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The Women’s City Club of Grand Rapids celebrates their 100th birthday (Courtesy, WCC)


By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org


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.

In March, the WCC will join the Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) for a Women’s History Month program.

“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.

Hip Grandma with a Camera gives insight on living life after 50 and a “100 Things” bucket list

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Veronica Bareman is a Hip Grandma with a Camera – and she is living life to the fullest (Courtesy, Veronica Bareman)


By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org


Bareman fell in love with Holland right away (Courtesy, Veronica Bareman)

West Michigan’s “Hip Grandma with a Camera,” Veronica Bareman, urges communities to explore their own backyards with her book, 100 Things to do in Holland, Michigan Before You Die.

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.

You can also find Veronica Bareman on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Pinterest.

Local author Chavonne Mateen reveals heart behind fantasy novel set to be released Dec. 19

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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)


By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org


(Courtesy Photo)

Local author Chavonne Mateen will be launching her debut fantasy novel, Shaylah Marston and the Rogue Roots, on Tuesday, Dec. 19.

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.

Holiday cheer and the spirit of giving was evident at recent Wrap Up Wyoming event

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  • 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.

Santa Claus Girls nonprofit pivots after fire, requests monetary donations to replace gifts for children in need

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Local nonprofit is determined to bring Christmas to thousands of Kent County children despite the fire at their storage facility (Courtesy, pxhere.com)



By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org


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.

To donate, click here: donate.

To learn more about SCG, visit: www.santaclausgirls.org.

Mental health advocate and founder of i Understand non-profit joins Davenport University alumni board

3-bottom, Area Education, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Education, Health, Local Faces, Non-Profits, West Michigan, , ,
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.”

For more information on i Understand, visit: https://www.iunderstandloveheals.org/

Write Michigan: The story behind the stories

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Going Local, Kent County, Local Faces, Upcoming Events, West Michigan, , , , ,
Write Michigan contest entrants reveal their inspiration and love for the written word (Courtesy, pxhere.com)

By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org

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.

Wyoming restaurateur Tommy Brann retires after 52 years, hands keys to iconic restaurant over to sister and nephew

Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Food, Going Local, Local Business, Local Faces, Local History, Our Cities, Restaurants, , ,
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)

Over the years, Brann served in several leadership positions at city, county and state levels,  which included service as Michigan State Representative for District 77.

“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.”

Detroit Tigers legend and Grand Rapids native Dave Rozema returns to help those in need

Citizen Journalism, Local Business, Local Faces, Local History
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.

Rozema participated in Fashion for a Future, a fundraiser for Hope for Single Moms, on Sept. 28 at New Vintage Place.

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.

Veterans History Project at GVSU helps veterans process and share military experiences

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Going Local, Local Faces, Local History, Veterans, West Michigan, , ,
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.

A view rarely seen

Capturing veterans’ experiences yields multiple benefits.

“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.

Things really began moving in 2007 when Smither was contacted by the Kentwood Historic Preservation Commission. They offered to help recruit veterans for interviews and recommended WKTV Community Television to help with the recording process.

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.

Local poet Becci Schumaker overcomes adversity, finds solace and healing in the written word

3-bottom, Books, Citizen Journalism, Going Local, Kent County, Local Faces, West Michigan, , , , ,
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.

A passion to teach brings two new faces to Wyoming High

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Education, Local Faces, , ,

Meet Art Teacher Cassandra Lawson

Regan Mead
WKTV Contributor

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.

Running in Silence; an All-American runner’s battle with an eating disorder

Citizen Journalism, Health, Local Faces, ,
(Courtesy, Rachael Steil)

By Cris Greer
WKTV Managing Editor
greer@wktv.org


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.

A local artist uses her creativity to give back

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Local Business, Local Entertainment, Local Faces, Non-Profits, Recreation, ,

By Maddy Visscher
ArtRat Gallery

Journeè Evans’ passion for Grand Rapids art, poetry and community gained new perspective in January 2022, when she relocated downtown from the city’s southeast side.

“I wanted to know my surroundings more, to expand,” she told ArtRat. “That’s why I love living in Grand Rapids: You’re always going to run into a different crowd and new culture that you can explore and bring in knowledge and connections. We have something special, something a lot of people are searching for.” 

Bringing communities and cultures together is central to Journeè’s work. In our neighborhood alone, Mama Sol’Ja has performed at 106 Gallery’s Thing to Do Thursdays, at GRNoir’s Vino & Verses reading series, and at The Hai-Cuu Experience and Saturday Musicians’ Co-op here at ArtRat. On Nov. 4, she co-hosted Pass the Mic GR at the Wealthy Theatre at the invitation of co-founder Shayna “Akanke” Marie.

At ArtRat, she has sourced West Michigan artists and artisans for ArtRat’s Holiday ArtMart, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 3 and noon to 6 p.m. Dec. 4. Also during ArtRat’s Third Thursday event Dec. 15, she will host a poetry paint-and-pour as part of her new Sol’s Sessions performance series.

“I met some of the most loving, caring and amazing people” at Pass the Mic, Journeè said. “It was one of those opportunities that you don’t get unless you know that this is something you’re supposed to bring to the world. There’s so many amazing things that come through Grand Rapids, and a lot of people don’t get to see them.”

Journeè has also become an ambassador for C4 (the Community Collaboration on Climate Change),a grassroots organization that is working to make Grand Rapids a model city for climate-change mitigation, adaptation and climate justice for its residents.

In her role with C4, Journeè will work closely with the residents of Grand Rapids to learn the specifics of what our community needs to move forward. (You can download more information on C4 here and here.)

Sol’s Sessions

Her experience at Grand Rapids’ art venues inspired Journeè’s latest project: Sol’s Sessions, a collaborative forum for the city’s emerging artists, poets, singers and dancers that she plans to host throughout the city. “The idea was actually born out of the idea for a dance group,” she said, “but I fell back in love with writing poetry. So it became a space for everything: You can come and speak, listen, cry, dance, even paint or sketch!

“Creativity doesn’t take from anything, or anyone — it simply gives. When you gain creativity, you gain freedom and independence. It gives you the courage to live on without fear.”

Mama Sol’Ja will host a “Sunflower World” edition of Sol’s Sessions on Nov. 18 at the Wealthy Theatre Community Media Center. The event begins at 6pm with performances by six West Michigan poets, leading into an open mic. “I want anybody who has a talent to come and show it so they can get their flowers and that love,” she said. “That’s what the Sunflower World is about.” To keep the flame lit as we head into dark winter months, you’re invited to dress in yellow and join the celebration.

Bringing it all to ArtRat

In December, Journeè will apply her community-building talents to ArtRat, introducing new vendors to the gallery at the Holiday ArtMart, then hosting a Sol’s Session that features poetry alongside participatory painting. “I get to bring in this great community of people who became entrepreneurs in their own right,” she said. “They went out and they actually did something! It’s so amazing to me to see that grit.

“COVID really just stopped a lot of things. Now that people are up and running, I want to really encourage us to gain as much as we can gain because we all went through so much. I was thrilled to be able to give people that opportunity, whether it’s local artists, or younger people who want to pursue creative endeavors.

“I’m thrilled that I get to be able to bring people a new, positive way,” Journeè said, “just to show themselves and be able to express whatever thoughts they have on their mind. We’re definitely going to change it over here. It’s important to give voice to change — and that’s what we’re doing here.”

This article provided by ArtRat, located at 46 Division Ave. S. For more about ArtRat, visit the gallery’s website at www.artrat.us. To join ArtRat Gallery’s mailing list of events and exhibits, email matthew@artrat.us.

New 49507 Project piece reflects hope for its community

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Kent County, Local Faces, Non-Profits, Our Cities, , ,

By Renee Karadsheh
WKTV Contributor

Alynn Guerra’s mural for the 49507 Project adorns the side of Cisneros Tire Service located along Division Avenue. (WKTV)

On a pleasant day in September, the smell of warm tortillas and the music playing at the corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Street and Division Avenue probably left some drivers and pedestrians wondering what is being celebrated at the parking lot of Cisneros Tire Service. Then again, one look at the shop’s wall along Division Avenue and it did not taking much to figure out the reason for the celebration.

Sept. 3 was the unveiling of one of the newest pieces in The 49507 Project, which is a public art project coordinated by the non-profit The Diatribe. The 49507 Project is designed to bring together Black, brown, and LGBTQ+ artists to paint murals and emulate how underserved residents in the 49507 area are.

Redlining, the practice of denying a person a loan because the area they live in is deemed poor, is one of the issues reflected in Alynn Guerra’s piece, “Flight,” which is featured at Cisneros Tire Service, 800 Division Ave. S.

According to Guerra, the mural has a literal and metaphoric meaning. The red on the far left represents redlining, a practiced started in 1933 when the Home Owner’s Loan Corporation began redlining in major American cities. On the far right is a shade of green to represent green lining, an advocacy that seeks to advance and empower communities with people of color. In the center of the background is a sunny yellow tone with a grinning skeleton swinging forward on a swing as white birds fly the opposite direction over the red paint in the background. The birds represent white supremacy reversed as Guerra describes it. The skeleton is  a traditional Mexican symbol of rebirth.

“We don’t need to  glorify our struggles,” said as she presented her mural to the public. “We can look into the mural and be hopeful.”

Taking on this dynamic form of activism through art, Guerra is a believer her art can create change. Whether you are on the stuck in traffic on the busy street of Division or a customer who needs a tire changed at Cisneros Tire Service, you cannot escape curiosity when studying her mural. This vivid, humorous, and truthful work of art shows immense hope for Grand Rapids to think outside our redlines and educate ourselves on social injustice. What Guerra believes about public art is it communicates a message in a constant way in the present day and future generations to come.

The 49507 Project was launched in 2021 with seven artists completing pieces. For 2022, the project had eight artists complete murals in and throughout the area. Those locations are:

  • Samaria J’s Salon Suite, 701 Grandville Ave SW 
  • Load A Spud, 1721 Madison Ave SE 
  • Farmers Insurance, 2435 Eastern Ave SE 
  • Mr. B’s Party Store, 1216 Kalamazoo Ave SE 
  • Aleman Auto Repair, 1801 Division Ave S. 
  • Cisneros Tires, 800 Division Ave S. 
  • 1956 Eastern Ave. 
  • 1935 Eastern Ave.

The project has been well received. In fact, as part of it, Peterson Research Consultants conducted a survey of the community attitudes both before and after starting to assess whether perceptions of the neighborhood might change. After the first year, that survey showed residents felt the art represented how “we see things – colorful, vibrant, and a beautiful side of our culture.”

Funded by a coalition of nearly a dozen businesses, foundations, neighborhood groups and city organizations, The 49507 Project is scheduled to go through 2023.

WKTV Managing Editor Joanne Bailey-Boorsma contributed to this article.

Museum celebrates Day of the Dead with exhibition

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Holidays, Kent County, Kids Activities, Local Faces, Local History, Recreation, , , , ,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
WKTV Managing Editor
joanne@wktv.org

Artist Margaret Vega’s ofrenda for her father, Francisco Vega. (WKTV/Renee Karadsheh)

Veronica Quintino-Aranda’s brother died before her younger sister was born yet her sister has a connection to him because of the family’s tradition of honoring the brother’s memory during Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos).

“We remember who he was,” said Quintino-Aranda, a member of the Latino Community Coalition which has collaborated with the Grand Rapids Public Museum on a Day of the Dead exhibit. “We share stories. We share memories. We share his favorite food.

“Even though my sister has never meet him because he died before she was born, she still knows who he was and how important he was to our family.”

A tradition that dates back to the Mayans and Aztecs

Running through Nov. 27, the Grand Rapids Public Museum is featuring the Field Musuem’s “A Celebration of Souls: Day of the Dead in Southern Mexico.” Through 26 photographs, the exhibit explores the significance of the Day of the Dead celebrations in Oaxaca, a southern region of Mexico.

Traditionally observed on Nov. 1 and 2, Day of the Dead/Dia de los Muertos is an indigenous holiday that originated in southern Mexico and celebrates the remembrance of family members and friends who have died. Part of that celebration includes the creation of an ofrenda, or a home alter, honoring the deceased.

The tradition and symbols date back to the Mayans and Aztecs, who had a whole month dedicated to the dead, according to Quintino-Aranda. The expansion of catholicism in Mexico altered some of the symbols but the the focus on celebrating the dead remained.

Veronica Quintino-Aranda and Javier Cervantes (WKTV/Renee Karadsheh)

“On my home alter, and we have a catholic tradition, we have the candle that symbolizes we are the light of the world,” Quintino-Aranda said. “We have the arch toward heaven and incense that indicates that our prayers are going up to him. We also have soil that symbolizes that we are dust and are destained to return. We also have items that represent (my brother) and of course, his picture.”

Exploring local history and culture

Almost 600,000 Hispanics live in West Michigan with the Hispanic population making up about 16 percent, almost 16,000, in the Grand Rapids area. As the Hispanic community grew, many brought their traditions to the West Michigan area with the Day of the Dead having become a community celebration. In fact, the Grand Rapids Public Library for several years has hosted a Dia de los Muertos event (this year Oct. 30 – Nov. 3) that includes alters created by community members and activities.

The Latino Community Coalition’s Nuestra HERencia ofrenda. (Courtesy, Grand Rapids Public Museum)

Noting that the Grand Rapids Public Museum is not just about dinosaurs and artifacts but also history and culture, Dustin Tyler, director of marketing and customer service strategy for the Museum, said the Public Museum is excited to be able to partner with local organizations such as the LCC to present a Day of the Dead exhibition.

“Anytime we get the opportunity to include community partners to help paint a story, its a win for Grand Rapids, a win for the museum and a win for our members and visitors,” Tyler said.

The local connection

As part of the exhibition, the GRPM joined with community partners to add ofrendas to the exhibition display. Local professor and artist Margaret Vega created one display honoring her father Francisco Vega (1922-2021), who was a leader in the Latino community of West Michigan and a grassroots organizer for civil rights.

The LCC’s offenda focuses on the organizations Nuestra HERencia project, which honors the history and legacies of women here in Grand Rapids.

“It is an immersive experience,” Tyler said. “it is kind of a window into how another culture does things different but also learning about the history of Mr. Vega and learning about our partners over at the Latin Community Coalition and what their mission and purpose is.”

Started in 2006, the LLC serves as a unifying force for the equitable advancement of Latinos in West Michigan.

“I chose LCC because at the time I was working for the infant health program at Cherry Street Health and so I wanted to learn more about what are the resources out there to help my clients and patients and the LCC was a great opportunity for me to network and learn what programs and classes other nonprofits were offering so I could give back and give those resources to my community,” she said.

Celebrating ‘HER’

The Nuestra HERencia project features women who have not necessarily received awards or been recognized but because of their values that they instilled in their family members, they have helped the Hispanic community grow through business and leadership.

 

“My aunt, who passed away last year, she owned a small chain of bakeries,” said Javier Cervantes, another LCC member. “She instilled in us hard work and dedication. I saw how she treated everyone with respect. That is what I will not forget.

“Todos parejos — everyone is equal.”

For both Cervantes and Quintino-Aranda, they hope through the exhibition and the LCC display to help residents understand the symbolism and why Day of the Dead is important to the Hispanic community.

“I want people to know that we have a presence here in Grand Rapids and we are not going anywhere,” Cervantes said. “Those Latinos have been able to be trailblazers and in a unique way transform the lives of families as well.”

“A Celebration of Souls: Day of the Dead in Southern Mexico” is included with general admission to the Museum and is free for Museum members. Kent County residents do receive a discount and Kent County children 17 and under are free. To reverse tickets, visit grpm.org. 

WKTV Contributor Renee Karadsheh contributed to this story.

Kentwood teacher only one in state to receive NEA fellowship

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, Education, Hard News, Local Faces, , ,

By Tim Hargis
Kentwood Public Schools

East Kentwood High School art teacher Olivia Miller works with students in class. (Courtesy, Kentwood Public Schols)

East Kentwood High School art teacher, Olivia Miller, is a lifelong learner and self-described explorer. She has a passion to experience other parts of the world, other cultures, and that passion spills over into her classroom. It is also taking her places.

Recently, Miller was named a 2023 National Education Association (NEA) Global Learning Fellow. She is the only teacher in Michigan to receive this honor. According to the NEA Foundation, Miller will join colleagues from states across the country to immerse themselves in a year-long study that involves online coursework, webinars, readings, and reflections. Eventually, the group will travel to South Africa this summer as part of this experience.

The goal, Miller says, is to return to the classroom, enriched from the learning, to create a global learning experience for her students. This work, she feels, also helps her to connect with her students.

Recently, East Kentwood art teacher Olivia Miller was named a 2023 National Education Association Global Learning Fellow. (Courtesy, Kentwood Public Schools)

“For me, the biggest way that I can learn is experiential, through traveling,” Miller explained. “It’s so different walking into a school in a different country and seeing how things are done there….It’s a different level of experience that I can connect with and then maybe better understand my students who come from different countries.”

This is not the first time Miller has been part of this type of opportunity. Prior to the pandemic, she was accepted as part of the Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms Program. This enabled her to work with teachers from across the nation and to travel to Morocco as part of this learning experience.

Part of Miller’s motivation is rooted in her own heritage. Her mother’s family immigrated to the United States from Ukraine. Growing up in West Michigan, she says she did not see much of her own family’s history and culture represented in the school curriculum. This made her wonder about representation for the students she serves today.

This is Miller’s third year teaching in the Kentwood Public Schools and her tenth year of teaching overall. Kentwood is where she wants to be. “This has been my dream school to come to,” Miller says of East Kentwood High School. “There are so many layers and good things to our EK community and environment. This place is such a cultural hub that many people may not even know about. You can learn about so many different ways of life, different cultures, different people here in Kentwood.”

East Kentwood is definitely glad to have Miller on its team. “Ms. Miller is one of the most culturally sensitive and equity-minded teachers that I’ve had the pleasure to work with,” says EK Assistant Principal Lindsay Kimbrough. “She brings a perspective that goes much deeper than the beautiful art she elicits from her students. She promotes social emotional development, and through her whole-child approach, helps to mold true global citizens.”

East Kentwood art teacher Olivia Miller helps a student on an art project. (Courtesy, Kentwood Public Schools)

Kimbrough adds that the relationships Miller builds with her students are so important. “Her innate ability to build relationships with students is the bridge that leads students to taking academic and artistic risks, reaching heights they may have never dreamed of.”

The trip to South Africa this summer will be a rewarding culminating activity for Miller as part of her role as an NEA Global Fellow; however, there is work to be done between now and then. This work includes a trip next month to Washington, D.C. where she will collaborate with the other NEA Global Fellows from around the nation at a conference in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Education.

While Miller is focused on her current students and how the NEA Global Learning Fellowship will positively impact them, she is also looking ahead, and dreaming about possibilities to benefit KPS students and staff in the future.

“I want to someday have funding to take KPS teachers to the countries that our students are primarily from,” Miller explains, “to do a teacher tour. To go into the countries and learn.” She adds, “I think that would really make a big impact. It would close a gap in the relationships between teachers and students because students would be like, ‘Oh my gosh. You cared enough that you went and traveled to where I’m from.”

Reprinted with permission from the Kentwood Public Schools.

Cross Creek’s new school song is made for speed

3-bottom, Area Education, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Education, Kids Activities, Local Faces, ,

By Cory Olsen
National Heritage Academies

The band plays in unison as it marks its way through a staccato, ascending theme while their director guides them down a path, all the while envisioning the pinnacle of auto racing: Formula 1.

The piece titled “F-1” may not move as fast as the race cars, but the feel of the music portrays the sense of anticipation when played by the Cross Creek Charter Academy symphonic band, directed by David Steketee.

Check out the Cross Creek symphonic band performing “F-1” by clicking here.


Commissioned by Steketee for the school’s 25th anniversary, the song begins with the entire band building anticipation for the coming percussion breaks. Trumpets and woodwinds then pair for climbing runs, preparing for the song’s melody. It’s a noble and celebratory piece of music that promotes feelings of pride and security – themes held strongly by the school.

David Steketee directs the Cross Creek symphonic band. (Courtesy, Cross Creek Academy/National Heritage Academies)

“It’s the 25th anniversary, so I wanted to do something that’s unique,” Steketee said. “Commissions are done a lot but they’re expensive, so it’s not done often by any one school, so this is our one and only for a while.”

Composer Randall Standridge was hired to write the piece to fit the instrumentation and ability levels of the seventh/eighth grade symphonic band. The band debuted the piece during a performance in May. The $3,000 cost for the composition was quickly covered with a fundraising effort by school supporters.

“I was excited, our whole administration was excited, the Cross Creek family was excited, it was great,” Steketee said.

Band students experienced challenges because of COVID-19, not being able to play as freely due to most instruments requiring breath to make sounds. Steketee said the song provides a lot of room for his students to play together, which helps with their comfort levels.

“Anytime where they’re playing by themselves, the kids don’t like it so much,” he said. “COVID has really brought our ability level down, so when the music is fast and full instrumentation, it’s much better for their confidence.”

Being able to direct students through the song proved to be a joy for Steketee and being part of something that will live on into Cross Creek’s future adds to the director’s sense of pride.

“I just wanted to do something cool and having our name on the masthead of that piece is pretty rad,” he said. “It’ll be there forever.”

Cross Creek Charter Academy is a tuition-free, public charter school in Byron Center, serving students in Young 5s through eighth grade. It is part of the National Heritage Academies network, which includes 98 tuition-free, public charter schools serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade across nine states. For more information, visit nhaschools.com.

East Kentwood students earn honors from national program

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, Education, Local Faces, ,

By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

Left to right: AP Coordinator Yara Barbosa, Ebise Tarekegn, Kyle Sanders, Luisa Orozco, and Principal Omar Bakri. (Courtesy, Kentwood Public Schools)

Kentwood Public Schools recently announced that four of our East Kentwood High School students earned honors from College Board’s National Recognition Program, helping them stand out in college admissions. Congrats to the following students: Chisom Okogbue, Ebise Tarekegn, Kyle Sanders, and Luisa Orozco. The students were recognized as national awardees in two of the four recognition categories – the National African-American Recognition Program and National Hispanic Recognition Program.

The students earned this recognition by excelling on AP exams and in the classroom. Students who may be eligible: have a GPA of 3.5 or higher, have excelled on the PSAT/NMSQT or PSAT 10 or earned a score of 3 or higher on two or more AP Exams.

Annually the College Board announces recipients of its National Recognition Programs for achievements in school and on College Board assessments. Students are invited to apply during their sophomore or junior years, and are awarded at the beginning of the following school year.

Live discussion designed to raise awareness on local issues

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Hard News, Local Faces, Our Cities, ,
The Diatribe hosted a live Facebook stream on issues facing the 49507 zip code. (Supplied)

By Sheila McGrath
WKTV Community Contributor

If the community poured as much money into the public health crisis of racism as it poured into the public health crisis of COVID-19, what might the result be?

That question and many more were discussed in a Facebook Live event recently hosted by Marcel ‘Fable’ Price and G. Foster II from The Diatribe, an organization that uses performing arts to raise awareness of social issues.

Fable and Foster posed questions about health care, community and life in South Grand Rapids neighborhoods to a panel that included social workers, health care workers, and community organizers.

Racism has been declared a public health crisis in Grand Rapids, Fable said, but since the city government made that declaration nearly a year ago, what has been done about it?

“We responded to COVID in many ways. Money, pop-up clinics, stimuluses, billboards, millions of dollars in marketing campaigns,” he said. “What would a response to racism as a public health crisis look like if we took it as seriously as COVID?”

“It would mean people are reacting to racism like their lives depend on it,” said Aarie Wade, director of education at Baxter Community Center.

“Like if they don’t attack this, they will die. And their families will die. And generations will die.”

Listening to the community

In addition to Wade, participants on the panel included Chinyere Aririguzo, LMSW, client services supervisor at Health Net of West Michigan; Ashlie Jones, senior program coordinator for the Grand Rapids African American Health Initiative; Nirali Bora, MD, medical director of the Kent County Health Department; Kelsey Perdue,  a project director with the Michigan League for Public Policy, and Lee Moyer, director of community programs at Spectrum Health Healthier Communities.

Questions posed in the forum were based on listening sessions hosted by The Diatribe as part of its 49507 Project, an anti-racist project by and for people of color that involves the creation of public murals, writing, and community listening sessions.

Fable said during listening sessions, they were able to listen to more than 400 individuals from the 49507 neighborhood.

“Many residents didn’t feel like our downtown belongs to them, which makes it even more important that we pour into our communities, our neighborhoods,” he said.

Creating more home ownership opportunities

Obstacles to home ownership in the 49507 zip code are a big problem, many of the panelists said, as well as the difficulty of people being able to afford housing in general.

Fable noted that nonprofit organizations own hundreds of homes in the 49507 zip code. He questioned why those couldn’t be given to families, bringing home ownership and stability to those neighborhoods.

Investors and developers buying up properties bring another obstacle, according to Fable.

“How do community members obtain equity if developers are constantly taking control of neighborhoods, and our politicians and community leaders continue to align with them?” he said.

Aririguzo said the requirements for subsidized housing are keeping a lot of people from even being able to live in the neighborhood, such as rules requiring people to be able to come up with three times the amount of the rent to be eligible for assistance.

“If I could make three times the rent, I wouldn’t be looking for subsidized housing, right?” she said. “I would like to see changing the requirements that are supposed to be helping us stay in our neighborhoods.”

 

Using your vote to get local leaders to listen

The difficulty getting city leaders to listen to the concerns of Black and Brown residents was another topic of discussion. Panel members said that when conversations with city or county leaders did happen, they felt as if leaders were just waiting for them to finish talking so they could give their prepared rebuttals.

Panelists agreed that it’s important to get informed on local candidates running for office in the city of Grand Rapids and Kent County.

“Do your research on candidates, not only when it comes to their political stance but what they’ve done in the past. What does your track record say you’ve done for the city to improve it?” Moyer said. “That will speak volumes.”

“We get wrapped up with the news about Trump vs. Biden, but it’s wildly important to care about these smaller elections,” Fable said.

Real Talk: The Diatribe Livestream can be viewed on the organization’s Facebook page.

Wyoming’s Two Guys is ‘Big City Dining’ with a personal touch

Beer, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Entertainment, Food, Local Business, Local Faces, Recreation, Upcoming Events, , , , ,

By John D. Gonzalez
WKTV Contributing Writer

Owners Tom and Amy Payne. Amy works in her garden every morning to pick vegetables for their kitchen. (John D. Gonzalez)

TwoGuys Brewing thinks of itself as “Big City Dining,” but without the hassles of driving and parking downtown.

Even when they put together a business plan in 2006 – 12 years before they opened – the owners always planned to offer quality, locally sourced dining for the community of Wyoming.

“Upscale is not even the word,” said former homebrewer-turned-head chef, Tom Payne.

It was always meant to offer a “downtown restaurant feel and quality of food for our neighbors here in Wyoming.”

Tom and wife/co-owner Amy are doing exactly what they set out to do, and they’re doing it in a remodeled 7-Eleven store at 2356 Porter St. NW. It’s a no-frills location, just great food and beer.

Quality that doesn’t break the bank

The quality of dining is what you might find in downtown Grand Rapids or other metropolitan cities, they said, but not at the same cost. Plus, they have free, on-site parking in Wyoming.

Burgers at Two Guys start at $11. (John D. Gonzalez)

“Pricing downtown is just exorbitant, and I understand, their rents are also much higher than ours in some cases,” Amy said.

“But we’re Gen-exers,” she added. “We don’t park six blocks away from where we’re eating.”

“I worked 16 hours today; I don’t want to walk,” said Tom with a laugh.

A burger downtown, for example, might cost as much as $18.

At TwoGuys, where burgers are ground fresh every day, it will cost $11, unless you customize it with a lot of add-ons, like one online customer who built a half-pound burger with multiple toppings that came in at $19.

One of Tom’s priciest creations, a Poutine Burger, which was a special in July, cost $14. It was Prime rib, ground fresh from English cut roast shoulders.

It might cost a little extra, “but we touched every part of that burger, from the condiments on it, to the grinding of the beef,” Tom said.

“And it had hand-cut fries on it,” Amy said.

Foodies and others are taking note

Since opening in 2018, TwoGuys has established itself as “a great place for delicious eclectic food and great Michigan beers. Family-friendly with a great neighborhood feel!,” which it says right on their Facebook page.

That’s where most of their 13,000-plus followers keep up to date on food specials, new beer releases and community causes.

Two Guys Brewing is located in a remodeled 7-Eleven store at 2356 Porter St. NW. (John D. Gonzalez)

Just take a look at their food photos online, and you will immediately have a craving for one of Tom’s creative creations.

Along with a team of dedicated employees, they’re hard work is paying off and putting Wyoming on the map. Foodies everywhere are taking notice.

With a national tourism conference in town last week, Experience GR had some nice things to say about them in a blog post offering a “Locals’ Guide to Breweries with Great Food,” saying TwoGuys is a “must visit” for craft beer and food enthusiasts “due to its decadent food, dessert and craft beer selections.”

It added:

“TwoGuys makes most of its items in house, to the extent of house-smoking beef, corned beef and turkey, hand-dredging chicken and hand-cutting potatoes for fries. The menu emphasizes shareables, from tacos, fried pork rinds and wine-braised mushrooms to cheese curds, charcuterie boards and chorizo fundido, a sausage-and-beer cheese combo.

You can also count on a tantalizing special or two, always made with the freshest local ingredients.”

The silver lining of COVID

The praise is heart-felt by the couple, who work countless hours, but always put their staff and customers first.

“There are some weeks we don’t take home a paycheck,” Amy said. “And we’re OK with that.”

They were humbled during Covid when locals flocked to their restaurant to pick up pre-packaged, family meals that Tom said was “real honest food that you didn’t have to do the hard part.”

To borrow a couple of overused words at the height of the pandemic, they learned to “pivot” and make the best out of an “unprecedented” period in our country’s history.

In a weird way, it was Covid that put TwoGuys on the map outside of Wyoming.

“We have regulars now who would not have come in here except for that,” Tom said on an episode of our radio show “Behind the Mitten with Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez.” “So although COVID has been a pain in the ass, it’s been a blessing.”

Feeling the love of its community

They were humbled again this summer when a smoker caught fire and caused damage to the exterior of their building, which led to a GoFundMe Page. On Facebook they posted:

Damage from the smoker fire that took place earlier this summer. (John D. Gonzalez)

“We could use your help if you’re so inclined.

“We DO have insurance. Anything donated above the deductible and immediate costs to repair, replace, and clean up will be donated to a local charitable organization supporting women, pregnancy, and infants. It has always been our mission to support our local community and we will do that through this as well!”

They asked for $2,500, which the community nearly doubled in less than a month.

It wasn’t an easy ask for a couple that, like the community itself, prides itself in hard work and pulling themselves up by the bootstraps.

They were overwhelmed.

The extra money will go to charities they support and align “with our values.” But they’ll do it quietly without making a big deal about it.

“When you do something good, sometimes you just have to shut up and let people notice,” Amy said.

“There are a lot of good restaurant owners in this community, but you’re never going to miss the fact they are doing good. That takes a little bit away from (the fact) you’re doing good if you’re using it as a marketing plan.”

More than a family affair

Married in 1990, the couple met in 1988 at Village Inn Pancake House on 28th Street (now New Beginnings). He was 18. She was 16.

Seeing their restaurant full is one thing that keeps Two Guys Brewing owner Tom Payne going. (John D. Gonzalez)

Today they are the parents of three adult daughters (Meghan, Zoe and Abigail). They live only a few blocks away from TwoGuys.

As local business owners, the couple just wants to make an honest living, support the community, and make great food and beer.

Amy works in her garden every morning to pick vegetables for their kitchen. When he needs a little “alone time,” Tom creates beautiful tie dye shirts across the street in the production facility to sell in their merchandise shop.

What keeps them going every day?

“Seeing this place full every night,” Tom said.

“Coffee and Ibuprofen.” Amy said.

‘Just be good’

In all seriousness, they hope popular beers, seltzers, sangrias, along with hand-cut fries, New Orleans-inspired food, burgers, tacos and other specialties will keep people coming back. It’s been a dream of the couple “forever.”

“But it’s never been a selfish dream,” said Tom, referring to the jobs they’ve created for their family and employees.

“We’ve got 20-some families of those that work here whose lives are better because we’re here,” he said.

That fits with their core values, which is to make a difference and “just be good.”

“Be better than you were yesterday,” Amy said.

“Change the world one pint at a time,” Tom said.

“We’ve really worked hard to try to make this corner of Wyoming better,” Amy said. “We’re hoping that ripples into other corners of Wyoming.”

Learn more about TwoGuys Brewing at https://twoguys-brewing.com/.

To make a charity contribution: https://gofund.me/69d17608 

Listen to the TwoGuys Brewing interview on “Behind the Mitten with Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez.”

John D. Gonzalez is a digital journalist with 30-plus years of experience as a food, travel, craft beer and arts & entertainment reporter based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He also co-hosts the radio show and Podcast “Behind the Mitten,” which airs at 6 p.m. Sundays on WOOD-AM and FM. Follow him on his journey to discover what’s next. You can find him on Twitter as @MichiganGonzo, on Instagram @MichiganGonzo and Facebook at @GRGonzo. He also relaunched his YouTube Channel. Email him story ideas and tips at michigangonzo@gmail.com.

With help from friends, local business expands in new direction

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Local Business, Local Faces, Local Food, Recreation, Restaurants, , , ,

By Sheila McGrath
WKTV Contributing Writer

Malamiah Juice Bar owners, from left, Jermale Eddie, Kris Mathis and Randy Otterbridge pose for a photo at the Studio Park location of Malamiah Juice Bar. The mural behind them features Eddie’s three sons – Malachi, Nehemiah and Josiah. (Supplied)

With a little help from some friends, Jermale Eddie has taken his business, Malamiah Juice Bar, to the next level.

After bringing in two new owners this spring, Malamiah Juice Bar opened its second location on July 11.

 

The new juice bar in the downtown David D. Hunting YMCA, 475 Lake Michigan Drive NW, will serve up made-to-order items like smoothies and bowls, as well as a variety of juices and grab-and-go items. Hours are 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Until now, the business had been operating one retail juice bar and eatery in the downtown Studio Park development, 122 Oakes St. SW, while also distributing their juices to about 20 grocery stores in Grand Rapids, Lansing and Kalamazoo.

But Eddie said he had been thinking over the past couple of years about adding some business partners.

In the beginning, there was two

He started Malamiah Juice bar with his wife, Anissa, in 2013, taking the name for the business from the names of the couple’s three sons – Malachi, Nehemiah and Josiah.

The two operated the business togther for a while, then Eddie became a “solopreneur” after his wife returned to work in a different job, he said.

“I knew at one point that we had taken this business as far as we could by ourselves,” he said. “I had to think about what are the elements that are missing? What do we need? Who do we need to come in to help us get to the next level? We didn’t want to plateau.”

A little help from his friends

Malamiah Juice Bar opened a new location in the downtown YMCA on July 11. Pictured, from left, are owner Jermale Eddie, area manager Adam Smallman, who manages both Malamiah Juice Bar locations, owner Kris Mathis and owner Randy Otterbridge. (Supplied)

That’s where his friends Randy Otterbridge and Kris Mathis came in. Both had backgrounds in marketing, and Eddie had known them for a long time through business connections and community events.

“I knew their business savviness, I knew their care and love for the community and their honesty and integrity, which is big,” Eddie said.

Mathis, the new chief of operations, is a self-described “serial entrepreneur.” He owns Raise a Glass Wine and Beer tours, coaches at SpringGR, and owns Blue Water Lake House, a short term vacation rental.

Otterbridge, the new chief marketing officer, has been teaching entrepreneurship at SpringGR for the past eight years and previously worked in the nonprofit sector for the Grand Rapids Urban League. He said he saw “massive opportunities” in the e-commerce and digital marketing space for the business.

An eye toward the future

In addition to opening more locations, the three are focused on growing the company in terms of the customer experience, the staffing experience and the community experience, Eddie said.

“Those are three areas of importance to us,” Eddie said. “It boils down to having the right systems in place and growing our systems.”

“The other part of our business model at both locations is, who do we take along with us on the journey? How do we support local as a local business? So you’ll find products from local entrepreneurs such as Ferris Coffee and granola bars from Granola Goddess,” Eddie said.

As they look to open more locations, Otterbridge said they’re focused on finding places with good synergy.

“We think about where can we place ourselves that already has foot traffic where we can be of service to the clients there,” he said.

Mathis said they’re also hoping to increase their retail footprint in their existing locations where things are already going well, as well as selling their products in more stores. They have a few other ideas in the works, such as after-hours activities for entrepreneurs, he said.

“If there is anyone interested in working with us in collaboration or partnership, or even opening another location of Malamiah, just reach out to us,” Mathis said. “Send us an email. We’re always open to entertaining ideas and possibly collaborating and seeing where it can take us.”

Malamaiah Juice Bar can be reached at juicy@malamiahjuicebar.com.

Wyoming to attend open houses for National Night Out

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Kids Activities, Local Faces, Recreation, Upcoming Events, , , ,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
WKTV Managing Editor
joanne@wktv.org

During a recent summer market, a Wyoming firefighter sends a message about safety. (WKTV)

Former Wyoming resident Nancy appreciated that her neighbors cared enough to come over and tell her that they saw people taking stuff out of her garage while she was at work.

“It turned out to be OK because I had given the charity group permission to do so, but I appreciated knowing that my neighbors were watching out for me,” she said.

Knowing your neighbors and being familiar with your neighborhood is a key component to fighting crime. Neighbors who are aware of each others activities, such as when they work or go on vacation, are able to identify when something or someone looks suspicious.

“It is not only nice to know your neighbors but it gives you a responsible feeling for your community,” said Lt. Brian Look with the Wyoming Public Safety Department. “With that connection to your community, you notice when things are out of place or when someone may need help.”

Getting to know your neighbors and building that connection to community is what National Night Out is all about. Always the first Tuesday in August — this year it is Aug. 2 — the annual event encourages people to “turn their porch lights on” and come out to meet their neighbors.

A rundown of activities

Give me five: A residents gives a Wyoming police officer a high-five. (WKTV)

Several of the Wyoming neighborhoods will have block party events, Look said. The Wyoming Department of Public Safety will be attending as many as possible Tuesday evening as well as several events that will be be open to the public.

The Department will join the Consumer’s Energy annual kick off event which starts at around 5:30 a.m. at Consumer’s Energy Grand Rapids Service Center Grand Rapids Service Center, 4000 Clay Ave. SW. Along with Wyoming, departments from Grand Rapids, Walker, and Kentwood will be in attendance. Consumer’s Energy staff will be handing out free energy efficient light bulbs to passersby. At 7:15 a.m., the mayors from Grand Rapids, Kentwood, Walker, and Wyoming will present a proclamation to commemorate the day.

From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Wyoming Department of Public Safety will join the Kent County Sheriff’s Department at the RiverTown Celebration! Cinema, 3728 Rivertown Parkway, in the RiverTown Mall. There will be children’s activities and safety information.

From 5 – 7 p.m., officers and firefighters will be at Grace University, 1011 Aldon St. SW. This event is open to the public and will include food, games and an opportunity to check out the SWAT vehicle, firetruck, police vehicles and meet members of the K-9 unit. Bonus, there is usually a large waterslide as well.

Officers and firefighters will be traveling to other neighborhood parties throughout the city.

Mayor Jack Poll offers a few words about the 2021 National Night Out event and its importance to the community. (WKTV)

Rebuilding after COVID

National Night Out was introduced in 1984 by the National Association of Town Watch and is now observed throughout the United States and Canada. The recent COVID pandemic did have a toll on the event as people were not able to host events, however several Kent County police organizations hosted National Night Out parades during that time to remind residents the importance of keeping in touch with each other.

The Wyoming Department of Public Safety, which has been participating in National Night Out since the mid-1990s, hosted two public open houses. Due to interest in having neighborhood block parties, the department’s community resource division decided to do a hybrid event this year of open houses and attending neighborhood parties.

“Like many things after COVID, the program fluctuated as we dealt with pandemic,” Look said. “We are in the process of rebuilding.”

Learning about community resources

For the Wyoming Department of Public Safety, the annual event also gives residents the opportunity to meet the officers and learn what resources are available to the the community, Look said.

“It never hurts for community members to get to know who the police officers are out there patrolling your roads and the firemen who are out helping residents,” he said. “Learning more about who is out there in your community can help when there is a need and helps us be able to serve them better.”

For anyone who is hosting a neighborhood party on Aug. 2 and would like fire and police to stop by the event, email Sgt. Dave Hunt at huntd@wyomingmi.gov.

Gezon is featured as 2022 park and rec highlight

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Kids Activities, Local Faces, Recreation, , ,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
WKTV Managing Editor
joanne@wktv.org

Earlier in the summer, the splash pad equipment was delivered to Gezon Park. (Supplied)

If you follow the tweets of Wyoming Director of Community Services Rebeca Rynbrandt, you know excitement is building for Gezon Park.

When construction started on the park, Rynbrandt noted that the opening of the park increases the city’s ability to provide equitable recreation and leisure services to one of its more populate areas. That reality comes true on Aug. 27 when the park will have a grand opening.

 

The redevelopment of Gezon Park is also one of the 2022 highlighted accomplishments of the Parks and Recreation Department, which Rynbrandt oversees, as the city marks National Parks and Recreation Month. Always in July, the month is designed to bring attention to how important parks and recreation are to a community.

The importance of parks

In fact, according to the National Recreation and Park Association’s 2022 The Economic Impact of Local Parks Report, local public park and recreation agencies in the United states generate nearly $218 million in economic activity and supported almost 1.3 million jobs that boosted labor income by more than $68 billion from their operations and capital spending in 2019. 

In the city’s proclamation read by Mayor Jack Poll at the July 5 Wyoming City Council meeting, it was noted that the “park and recreation promotes health and wellness, improving the physical and mental health of people who visit parks increasing personal well-being, and alleviating illnesses such as depression, attention deficit disorders, and Alzheimer’s.”

The proclamation also notes how the park and recreation proves physical activities such as softball, baseball, biking, walking, hiking trails, playgrounds, and fitness trails along with the Wyoming Senior Center and the after school program TEAM 21. It also noted that “parks and recreation increases a community’s economic prosperity through increased property values, expansion of local tax base, the attraction and retention of businesses and crime reduction.”

Lamar Park was one of four to receive new playground equipment this year. (Supplied)

What Wyoming offers

The Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department oversees 21 parks that contain almost 700 acres of property and a diverse array of recreational amenities, natural settings, wildlife, and plant life. In its 2021 Annual report, it was noted that about $575 million were directed toward the parks with almost half of the money, about $3 million, toward facilities, capital improvements, and maintenance. 

Rynbrandt has noted in the past that parks are in a state of maintenance and repair with her team working to keep those parks in top-top shape for residents. In fact this year, four of the city parks, Pinery, Hillcroft, Frog Hollow and Lamar park, all received new playground equipment.

There is also the challenge of meeting the evolving interests of residents which is reflected in the decision by the Parks and Recreation Commission to allow dogs at all parks. In 1998, the city had made Pinery Park a dog-free park. In the spring, the commission, with the support of residents, decided to end that policy.

Expanding special events

Residents also have wanted more special events that engage the community with the Parks Department has heard that call adding a number of special events.

Wrapping up next week will be the Concerts at the Park at Lamar Park. Performing on Aug. 2 is Latin soul group Grupo Latin.

But the park events have expanded beyond the popular concert series, which have included a summer market and Chalk the Park at Pinery Park earlier this month, the upcoming Aug. 20 Food Truck Rally (from 11 a.m to 5 p.m.) and the Oct. 8 Trick of Treat Trail at Lamar Park.

“Each day, our team worked hard, smart, and more innovatively to deliver programs and services to the residents of the Wyoming community,” said Rynbrandt in the 2021 Park and Recreation Commission Annual Report. “From reopening parks to honoring veterans in annual celebrations, helping seniors with meals and everyday necessities, and keeping Wyoming youth active and engaged through virtual programs an academic achievement, our parks and recreation team strives to bring the community together.”

Par-llo brings ‘old school’ to the Kentwood concerts

Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, Entertainment, Local Entertainment, Local Faces, Recreation, Upcoming Events, , , ,

John D. Gonzalez
WKTV Contributing Writer

Par-llo Connection performs on Thursday in Kentwood. (Supplied)

After a brief break for the Fourth of July holiday, the Kentwood Summer Concert Series is back with Par-llo Connection show band. A band with a message.

PAR-LLO stands for “Peace All Races – Live Love Others.”

“Who would have thought 40 years later it’s what the world needs today,” said original drummer Phil “Tapp” Morrow, in an email to WKTV Journal. “We always wanted our name to mean something.”


It also means “fun”!

The group performs at 7 p.m. Thursday (July 14) on the lawn behind City Hall. Admission is free.

READ: Summer revs up with Kentwood concerts, farmers market combo

A little band history

Morrow said the band performed from 1979 -87 in the heyday of the local music scene and opened for local band Switch, which featured Bobby and Tommy DeBarge of the famous DeBarge family in Grand Rapids, as well as the Bar-Kays at the Civic Auditorium. Par-llo even opened twice for Zapp at the DeVos Performance Hall, Morrow said.

“(We) got back together in 2017 not knowing what direction we were headed, more less just to catch up. Although we stayed in touch with each other,” Morrow said.

Influenced by Earth Wind Fire, Cameo, Prince, Kool & the Gang, Chaka Khan, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Gap Band, Commodores, and so many others, the group might even surprise with a little Bruno Mars or Mary J. Blige.

They love to entertain.

The band performed from 1979-87 and reformed in 2017. (Supplied)

“(We) give a show,” said Morrow, which means several sets, changed outfits for each set, a fog machines, flash boxes, etc.

They want to “create a one of a kind experience,” Morrow said.

What to expect

The band performed from 1979-87 and reformed in 2017. (Supplied)

Although the Kentwood show is an outdoor concert, which is a little different than a nightclub, he said “people can expect energized ‘Old School’ with a new twist R&B Funk Band.”

“Playing outside is like being at a free, old-school style concert,” he said. “Outside creates natural energy to share your gift.

“The reason I love playing in this band, because we are family on and off the stage, all self-taught. We just have fun because we know we are blessed to be able to get back together.”

The current band line up includes:

Phil Morrow (Tapp) Drummer, Vocals, Original Member

Leonard Burney (Toot) Bass, Vocals, Original member

Anthony Jones (Ant) Guitar, Vocals, Original Member

Tone Mosley (Tone) Lead Vocals, trumpet, trombone, Original Member

Dana Mosley (Dane) Keyboards, vocals Original Member

Isaac Rogers (Ike) Sax, Vocals Original Member

Chuck Johnson (Chuck) Keyboards, Guitar

Tina Flowers (Tina Marie) Lead vocal

Concerts take place from 7-8:30 p.m. on the lawn behind Kentwood City Hall, 4900 Breton Ave. SE. Admission is free. A variety of food trucks also will be on hand.

Kentwood summer concert info

Parking for shows will be limited at both City Hall and the Library, according to the city’s website. Additional parking is available at the Kentwood Justice Center (4740 Walma SE), Kentwood Public Works (5068 Breton SE), Kentwood Baptist Church (2875 52nd St), and there is street parking in nearby neighborhoods.

The Kentwood Farmers Market takes place next door from 4:30-7 p.m. in the parking lot behind City Hall. 

Get more information at kentwood.us.

This remaining lineup includes:

All concerts will be live streamed by WKTV Community Media. Watch the events live at: https://www.wktv.org/live25.html. If you miss a show you can watch it here at WKTV On Demand.