WKTV Featured Game coverage of local Kentwood and Wyoming area high school basketball — and an occasional prep hockey game — will kick into a full-court press in January 2022 when conference play starts.
But the crew will be out and about for a few pre-holiday-wbreak games beginning this week with girls basketball when Godwin Heights High School visits Wyoming Lee on Tuesday, Dec. 7, at 7 p.m., then boys basketball when West Michigan Aviation Academy hosts Grand River Prep on Friday, Dec. 10, at 7 p.m.
Two other December games are on the WKTV Feature Game schedule, including the Wyoming high girls hosting South Christian on Tuesday, Dec. 14, and a boys and girls basketball doubleheader on Friday, Dec. 17, at South Christian when Unity Christian visits.
Complete local basketball schedules as well as up-to-date scores of previous night’s games are also available at wktvjournal.org/sports-schedules-scores. (You can also just just bookmark WKTVjournal.org on your phone or other device and click on the blue banner at the bottom of the screen.)
The tentative January and February WKTV Feature Game schedule is as follows:
Always looking for volunteers in front of and behind the cameras, WKTV Featured Game sports crew includes volunteer announcers, from a 2020 game at East Kentwood, Ron Schultz and Mark Bergsma. (WKTV)
Friday, Jan. 7 , Boys and girls basketball, NorthPointe Christian at Kelloggsville
Tuesday, Jan. 11, Girls basketball, Holland at Wyoming
Friday, Jan. 14, Boys and girls basketball, Calvin Christian at Godwin Heights.
Friday, Jan. 21, Boys basketball, Zeeland East at Wyoming
Tuesday, Jan. 25, Boys basketball, Ottawa Hills at South Christian
Friday, Jan. 28, Boys and girls basketball, Kelloggsville at Godwin Heights
Wednesday, Feb. 2, Boys hockey, Manistee at East Kentwood
Friday, Feb. 4, Boys and girls basketball, Grand River prep at Potter’s House
Tuesday, Feb. 8, Boys basketball, Holland at Wyoming
Friday, Feb. 11, Boys hockey, Petoskey at East Kentwood
Friday, Feb. 18, Boys and girls basketball, Zion Christian at Wyo. Lee (HOF night)
Tuesday, Feb. 22, Boys basketball, Caledonia at East Kentwood
Friday, Feb. 25, Boys and Girls Basketball, Tri-unity Christian at Potter’s House
WKTV featured games will on cable television in Wyoming and Kentwood on Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T Channel 99 Community Channel, rebroadcast on the night of the game and various days and times the week after. See the programming schedule at wktv.org. For more information on WKTV coverage of basketball and other winter prep sports, follow us at wktvjournal.org/sports.
All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV’s video coverage team, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.com.
Pierre Camy holds a copy of ‘The City in the Forest,’ a history of Lansing. The book had just been printed on the Espresso Book Machine at Schuler Books & Music, 2660 28th St. SE.
If you only visit Schuler Books & Music on the weekends, you might wonder about the contraption near the back of the store that looks like a copy machine on steroids.
Visit on a weekday, though, and you’re likely to catch the Espresso Book Machine in action, busily printing, binding and trimming one of the 3,000 books it produces each year.
The Espresso Book Machine can print copies of millions of old books that are out of print, and also lets authors self-publish their novels, family histories or recipe collections, according to Pierre Camy, who runs the machine at the bookstore.
When it was installed there in 2009, it was one of only 20 Espresso Book Machines in the world.
Twelve years later, the machines are still pretty rare. According to the Espresso Book Machine website, there are about 80 of them around the world, mostly at bookstores, universities and libraries. A new machine costs about $125,000, Camy said.
Authors self-publishing their works make up the majority of Camy’s customers. But more and more, the machine is being used to print copies of titles available through Google Books, a service of Google that offers millions of scanned books online.
Several universities, including the University of Michigan and Harvard University, have had their entire library collections scanned by Google Books, and so have many libraries around the world. Shoppers can search for out-of-print books to be printed on the machine at ondemandbooks.com.
As long as the book is in the public domain – meaning it is no longer under copyright – it can be printed on the machine. Most books printed before the mid-1930s are now in the public domain unless the copyright was renewed, Camy said.
“’The Great Gatsby’ is now in the public domain,” he said. “We print books from the 17th Century, the 18th Century – anything, really.”
Every now and then, Camy said, he’ll get a run of orders for a really obscure book.
He recently got several requests for ‘Camp Fires and Camp Cooking; or, Culinary Hints for the Soldier,’ an 1862 book by James M. Sanderson with recipes and cooking tips for Civil War soldiers. The book is likely being purchased by Civil War re-enactors, Camy said.
With orders coming in both from local authors and buyers around the United States, the machine is running nearly all the time on weekdays now. But that wasn’t always the case.
“The first couple years were pretty slow, but then it took off,” Camy said.
There are lots of books already in the machine’s queue as the holidays draw near, he said, but authors who want to self-publish a book before Christmas can still get it in time if the files are set up according to the required specifications. Help is available for authors who need guidance about how to create the files.
“If files are print ready, we can make it happen,” he said.
The Schuler Books & Music website has guides for the Espresso Book Machine the include different types of publishing and pricing for various packages.
“The Four Elements” by Jaume Plensa is now on the corner of Monroe Avenue and Lyon Street in downtown Grand Rapids. (Supplied)
Letters, characters, and elements seem to randomly come together creating a human form on Monroe Avenue and Lyon Street in Grand Rapids.
The piece, Jaume Plensa ‘s “The Four Elements” is just the last addition to the downtown landscape which features such works as Mark di Suvero’s “Motu Viget” (The Swing), Maya Lin’s “The Ecliptic,” Clement Meadmore’s “The Split Ring” and the first public funded art piece by the National Endowment for the Arts, Alexander Calder’s “La Grande Vitesse.”
“Grand Rapids’ reputation as an art destination has been growing for decades,” said Experience Grand Rapids President and CEO, Doug Small. “As community leaders help to bring the work of acclaimed international artists to our doorstep, it not only enhances the ‘quality of place’ for area residents – it enhances the draw for visitors from across the country and around the world.”
Plensa, who is from Barcelona, Spain, is world-renowned having public works in several cities including Chicago where he is the artist of the Crown Fountain featuring faces on large scale screens with water shooting out of their mouths.
The Grand Rapids piece, which was commissioned by the DeVos family, is a 16-foot-tall, 5,400-pound stainless steel sculpture that uses letter characters and element symbols representing air, water, fire and earth to create a human form, signifying the many different characteristics that bring people together to form a single human race. Pamella DeVos said the piece is meant to portray a welcoming message of unity and diversity.
The piece is one of three that the DeVos family has commissioned for the downtown area.
Gardens brings in third Plensa piece
The Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park already is home to the Plensa piece, “I, you, she or he,” which are three steel sculptures similar to the downtown piece.
“Utopia” By Jaume Plensa (Photo by Laura Medina, courtesy Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park)
This week the Gardens unveiled a third piece by Plensa, “Utopia.” Housed in the Gardens’ new Welcome Center, which was designed by Tod Williams and Billie Tsien, “‘Utopia” consists of four 90-foot carved marble portraits depicting the faces of Marianna, Julia, Laura, and Wilsis. Each of the floor-to-ceiling portraits utilizes the human form to symbolize the capacity for a shared humanity.
According to GRAY Gallery, which represents Plensa, the installation is crafted from white marble, a material chosen by the artist both to harmonize with the architecture and for its nuanced reactions to light and shadow.
“With ‘Utopia,’ I wanted to set out to transform an expansive space into a single piece,” Plensa said. “I wanted to do something unforgettable for the Gardens. I wanted to create something that seemed invisible, but with 400 tons of marble, which I know seems like a contradiction. I spend my life trying to work through that duality, that poetry.”
The Gardens dedicated and opened its 69,000-square-foot, LEED-certified Welcome Center this week. The Welcome Center is part of the $115 million “Welcoming the World: Honoring a Legacy of Love” expansion project that includes an expanded and upgraded amphitheater, Frey Foundation Entry Plaza, a new Meijer-Shedleski Picnic Pavilion, the new Stuart and Barbara Padnos Rooftop Sculpture Garden and expanded and accessible parking and urban gardens. Still to be completed are the indoor sculpture galleries, a Volunteer Tribute Garden and the expanded Tassell-Wisner-Bottrall English Perennial Garden. The project is scheduled to be completed in June 2022.
It takes years of study, lots of blind tastings, patience and dedication, plus more than a few glasses of wine to pass a sommelier certification test. The resulting graduate is a passionate wine expert, who is excited to share their knowledge and love with guests, and we are lucky to have a newly minted sommelier right here in Grand Rapids.
“Ultimately this certification is a commitment to hospitality, and to the guest in our chair,” Tristan Walczweski said. He recently passed the Advanced Sommelier exam, and has received this coveted diploma. He is currently the general manager at Bistro Bella Vita in downtown Grand Rapids, as well as the beverage director for Essence Hospitality, the restaurant’s parent company.
Walczweski believes he is the only sommelier with this certification working in a restaurant open to the public in Grand Rapids, as well as one who works for a family, and one who works at a private country club. The Rockford native took almost five years to achieve this level of certification, with support from his wife Angie, and more than a little welcome distraction from his two-year-old son, Rowan.
So why is this such a big deal, and what does it mean for you, dear reader? And how might Walczweski help you to drink better wine? Read on to find out.
Run by the Court of Master Sommeliers, the certification process “elevates the quality of the beverage service throughout the hospitality industry” according to their mission statement. “The Court of Master Sommeliers provided a reference point for exceptional hospitality,” Walczweski explained. “For some, their takeaway is expert knowledge. For others, it’s an opportunity. I’ve always enjoyed the process of these exams, the preparation, the challenge, and ultimately the reward: sharing it with the guests, and helping cultivate it further with the staff.”
Tristan Walczweski, general manager at Bistro Bella Vita restaurant in Grand Rapids, recently achieved Advanced Sommelier status from The Court of Master Sommeliers.
“It’s one of the most respected certifications in the industry,” said Walczweski. And while “there have been their fair share of shake ups and scandals over the last year, it’s always been geared towards restaurants and service. It is preparation for excellent service in that setting.” Walczweski is referencing the claims of 21 women that they have experienced sexual harrasement and abuse by six male members of the organization. The accused, as well as one other member, have been suspended, with motions in place to expel them and strip them of their sommelier titles.
What this certificate means for Bistro Bella Vita is that they are now home to an elevated beverage program, one that goes above and beyond the usual wine offerings you might find, all thanks to Walczweski. “Here you might find newer things, like a label you might not recognize,” he said. “Finding a taste in your glass somewhere that you might not expect it. We carry producers who have their finger on the pulse of winemaking.”
Can something like this be one more step for the Grand Rapids restaurant scene to make a splash on a more national level?
“I think so 100%.,” Walczweski said. “Grand Rapids is still very small and a very easily influenced community. Through the Covid pandemic we have been given the chance to kind of rebirth our hospitality industry. I think Grand Rapids would benefit from having a defined hospitality culture and a high level of service. We have a huge opportunity for new restaurants coming in and really creating a unique experience, and something like this just helps that happen.” Walczweski and Bistro are happy to be a part of the change and development in West Michigan.
“There is immense thought and care put into our wine programs at Essence Restaurant Group,” Walczweski said. “At Bistro Bella Vita, we aim to highlight the work of the small producers, ones who take the methodical and holistic approach, farming regeneratively and sustainably, who leave the Earth better than they found it. Much time is spent over choosing these producers with the question always at the forefront of my mind: What would our guests think of having this wine in their glass?”
As much thought and care that is put into the wine program at Bistro, there was an equal amount put in by Walczweski into achieving this certification. It is no easy task, and has taken him years to achieve this level. In fact, Walczweski didn’t even set out seeking this kind of recognition, he originally thought that the introductory course might be a nice compliment to the new management position he had taken at Bistro.
Tristan Walczweski is one of only three Advanced Sommeliers in Grand Rapids, and the only one who works in a restaurant open to the public, Bistro Bella Vita.
Walczweski started working as a server at Bistro during his senior year in college at Davenport University. After graduating with a degree in business administration and management, a personal reckoning occurred. “I was always interested in history, foriegn languages, and music education, and I wanted to find something where I could apply all of these elements, in an untraditional way,” Walczweski said. “I wanted the opportunity to do more.”
He figured that his love of learning about history and languages might help him with the test. “My knowledge of general history was a big, helpful element as to when events took place, it gave me context to things like wine law, or who was in charge in certain countries,” he said. “And having an understanding of deconstructing languages from a theory standpoint really helped with deciphering labels and understanding regions,” he explained.
The actual testing process occurs through several different levels, and typically takes years to prepare for. Walczweski took and passed the Introductory level exam, a 75 question written exam, in 2016. “I spent nearly six months preparing for the exam, gradually understanding the winemaking countries of the world, the grape varietals and regions that defined them, along with the laws and geographical influence that made each unique,” he said.
He then moved on to level two, which is known as the Certified Sommelier. This was much more involved. “The exam had three parts: a timed written theory examination, a timed blind tasting of four wines, and a service practical which in its essence was a test of grace under pressure,” he explained. “Can you maintain poise, grace, and humility while juggling the woes of a restaurant?”
To properly prepare, Walczweski worked with a few other candidates to create a tasting group. They met weekly and each person brought both a white and a red wine for everyone to taste. “We exercised the tasting grid, a deductive process of blindly assessing a wine, each week working to develop our nose and palate and to understand ultimately what makes a wine tick,” he said.
He completed the test in Detroit, and after a few tense moments during the announcement of which candidates had passed, he learned that not only did he pass, he had gotten the best score on the test out of his group. He received the Walter Core Scholarship, which allowed him to continue his wine and beverage studies, as well as travel through some of the wine regions of Europe.
He scheduled his test for Advanced Sommelier for October 2020, which was then delayed multiple times during the pandemic. This was both a bit of a blessing and a curse. “The hardest part of preparing for this was sticking to a routine, being able to study, especially while in the restaurant industry,” he said. “I’d study from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., while being a parent trying to balance all of it, I was really feeling the burn.”
The test “gave some structure during Covid,” he explained. “I was never furloughed. I worked in more versatile roles during the pandemic. Sometimes I was dishwashing, sometimes working to-go’s. Studying gave me structure and a goal post. It really was something to look forward to.”
Walczweski is now looking forward again, to taking the Master Sommelier test, but he’s going to build his own timeline around the test. Ideally, he’d love to take it in 2023, but for now, he’s going to focus on his family, and his job at Bistro. “I’m waiting till I’m ready,” he said. “Then I’ll take a path and an approach that is healthy.”
If you’d like to experience a sip of Walczweski’s expertise, you can stop by Bistro or The Greenwell Bistro and grab a glass or bottle of wine that he’s selected. You can also join Bistro’s monthly wine club, where you can order his recommendations by the bottle or the case. This year, he’s put together a list of his top ten selections for the holiday season.
I asked Walczweski if he could share any knowledge with us on how to be a better wine drinker down at the lower end of the price scale. He had some great advice, first being that there is a huge difference between bottles of wine that retail between $15-$20 a bottle and those that come in under $10.
“I play the $20 challenge with myself,” he said. “How far can I make this $20 go? Going into the $15-$20 range, you reach a new echelon from $7-$8.”
Looking beyond the familiar is where you can find some high quality, yet affordable offerings. “Knowing other countries besides the well-known ones is key,” he said. “They take the same level of work, they are also tied to the land, but are coming from countries that get overlooked. Your dollar goes further.” He recommended checking out offerings from Spain and Portugal over Italy and France, Washington over Napa, and seeking out small regional offerings that might not be well known.
It always comes down to not just the liquid in the glass for Walczweski, but also to the overall hospitality involved in the restaurant business.
For Walczweski, it’s all about “how can I make your experience exceptional every day, as it’s seen through a wine glass.”
Dianna Higgs Stampler blends historical facts with insightful stories of haunted beacons in her book, “Michigan’s Haunted Lighthouses.” According to Stampler, Michigan has more lighthouses than any other state and “nearly one-fifth of all the lights in the state, past and present, have a ghostly story.”
Paranormal speculation may surround 30 of the 129 iconic beacons dotted along our extended coast but the historical significance cannot be denied. The Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum estimates these treacherous unpredictable waters have resulted in around 30,000 deaths with more than 25,000 shipwrecks at the bottom of the Great Lakes.
The need and importance of lighthouses with their fog horns, bells, and cannons was most evident during the late 1800s as Michigan emerged as the leading lumber producing state in the nation. These events gave rise to a very serious breed of professionals with lifelong dedication, pretty much unparalleled. The lighthouse keeper, lightkeeper, or “wickies” as they were called in the early days became a family business, often passed down from generation to generation. While the lightkeeper might have been considered a man’s job, at least 19 women were appointed to keep the beacons burning, usually assuming the responsibilities of head keeper following the death of their husbands.
It’s rumored the dedication to duties has extended beyond death for former keepers Captain Townshend at Seul Choix Point and John Herman at Waugoshance Shoal near Mackinaw City. Stampler states the Seul Choix Point Lighthouse may be “regarded as one of Michigan’s most haunted lighthouses” with as many as five ghosts. Stampler claims Willie Townshend’s cigar smoke still lingers throughout the structure as his presence seems to be the most active spirit at Seul Choix. John Herman probably the most infamous keeper at the Waugoshance light has been described as a heavy drinking prankster. After locking his assistant in the lighthouse lantern room late one night, John Herman was never seen again but the lightkeepers that followed claimed the pranks continued.
Stampler attributes these hauntings to former lightkeepers as well as the spirits of shipwrecked sailors seeking the safety and solace of the light. Stampler goes on to say that among the many ghosts that haunt our state’s lighthouses a handful are children, “most often girls dressed in period clothing.” To help explain why ghosts haunt, Stampler points to a common belief that spirits are often at unrest due to a tragic untimely death or dedication to service. Some hauntings indicate residual energy that is somehow recorded and replayed but other hauntings suggest an intelligent spirit interacting with the living. Evidence of Michigan’s haunted lighthouses includes: photos, recorded EVP ghost voices, icy cold spots, footsteps, smell of tobacco burning, laughter, hearing voices, seeing apparitions, beacon lights being seen even though there was no electricity to power it, and more. Here in Michigan we are surrounded by these mysterious structures and most of the lighthouses and attached museums are open to visitors.
The City of Kentwood will begin its the holiday season festivities this week with its annual tree lighting ceremony and parade, scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 2, at the city complex off Breton Avenue.
The family-friendly event of all-outdoor events will take place from 6-8 p.m., at and around the Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch, 4950 Breton Ave. SE. The evening will include activities for all ages, including live music, carriage rides, a luminary walk, children’s crafts and photos with Santa, according to a Nov. 29 announcement from the city.
Entrance to the event and all activities are free.
“Many residents, including myself, look forward to Kentwood’s Tree Lighting Ceremony and Holiday Light Parade as an opportunity to gather with family and neighbors to celebrate the season and spread peace and joy,” Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley said in supplied material. “Our annual event brings together the sights and sounds of the holiday season, making it a truly memorable experience for all ages.”
The parade will start at 6 p.m. and travel from the city’s Public Works Facility at 5068 Breton Ave. SE, north to the Kentwood Justice Center, 4740 Walma Ave. SE. Sections of Breton and Walma will be closed 5:50 p.m. to 6:25 p.m. for the parade.
Groups interested in participating in the parade are asked to complete an entry form online. The cost to participate is $15.
The tree lighting ceremony will follow at 6:30 p.m. in front of the library. After the ceremony, community members will have the opportunity to take photos with Santa, mail a letter to the North Pole, go on carriage rides, enjoy live holiday music and more.
Attendees also will have the opportunity to donate non-perishable food items to Kentwood’s Free Little Pantry. A list of suggested items is available at kentwood.us/LittleFreePantry.
More information about the tree lighting ceremony and holiday light parade is available at kentwood.us/TreeLighting.
St. Cecilia Music Center will host award-winning musicians The Milk Carton Kids, with their “beautiful songs and entertaining stage banter,” on Thursday, Dec. 2 at 7:30 p.m., kicking off the duo’s concert Trans-Atlantic tour through 21 U.S. cities and 5 performances in Spain, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and England.
Despite the scope of the tour, The Milk Carton Kids are no stranger to Grand Rapids.
“The Milk Carton Kids were a big hit at St. Cecilia Music Center during their first visit here in 2019,” Cathy Holbrook, St. Cecilia Music Center’s Executive & Artistic Director, said in supplied material. “Their loyal fans and people who love folk and Americana music will appreciate Joey Ryan and Kenneth Pattengale’s beautiful songs and entertaining stage banter.”
Tickets for The Milk Carton Kids are available at scmc-online.org or by calling 616-459-2224.
The duo’s newest release, The Only Ones, released in October 2019, takes The Milk Carton Kids back to their roots and the core of what they are musically, and features acoustic performances without a backup band.
“With ‘The Only Ones,’ The Milk Carton Kids go back to their roots: acoustic guitars and ethereal harmonies delivering lyrics that detail all the emotions love evokes,” Americana UK said about the album. “Musical duos will inevitably be compared to those that come before, and while The Milk Carton Kids conjure everyone from Simon and Garfunkel to the O’Kanes, ‘The Only Ones’ prove they can confidently hold their own, alongside their influences.”
This return back to their roots was prompted by several changes in the lives of Ryan and Pattengale. From professional to personal, these changes provided a break from years of non-stop touring that, Ryan says in supplied material, has yielded “space outside of the band that gives us perspective on what the band is.”
In the beginning, a perfect blend
When singers Ryan and Pattengale first connected, it was a pivotal moment for both of them.
Joey Ryan and Kenneth Pattengale, The Milk Carton Kids. (Courtesy of the band)
“For me, the striking thing about the first time we played together, even though it was just two acoustic guitars and two voices singing, was that it felt complete,” Ryan said in an interview with CBS This Morning, Saturday Sessions. Pattengale agreed: “Physically, the way that our voices blended in the air happened in a way where I had just never had that experience with another person.”
This powerful connection has led to three GRAMMY Award nominations for the duo: Best Folk Album in 2013 (The Ash & Clay), Best American Roots Performance in 2015 (The City of Our Lady), and Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical, in 2018 (All the Things That I Did and All the Things That I Didn’t Do).
A few past achievements (among many) since Ryan and Pattengale began touring and performing include: performing on National Public Radio’s Mountain Stage, Daytrotter; touring with Old Crow Medicine Show and The Lumineers; having three unreleased tracks featured in Gus Van Sant’s film “Promised Land”, starring Matt Damon and John Krasinski; several TV and Radio performances; praise from Rolling Stone for the duo’s album All the Things That I Did and All the Things That I Didn’t Do, with writer Luke Levenson noting the bandmates’ life changes as significant influences in its sound.
St. Cecilia’s pandemic policy
SCMC currently requires proof of fully vaccinated status, or a negative COVID test taken within 48 hours, to attend a concert at the SCMC venue. Attendees need to bring photo ID and proof of vaccination, or a negative test, the night of a concert. All audience members are required to wear a mask while in the building.
If you have tickets to an upcoming performance and are unwilling or unable to abide by this policy, please contact the SCMC box office for a refund at kelly@scmc-online.org a minimum of 48 hours prior to the concert date.
If you have family and friends visiting from out of town this weekend for the holiday, this would be a perfect time to entertain and show off our beautiful city.
This weekend’s Gonzo’s Top 5, exclusively on WKTV Journal, focuses on two of West Michigan’s most popular events, plus a way to support local businesses.
Here we go.
Gonzo’s Top 5
The military and veteran “Welcome Home” celebration of Operation Handshake at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport this holiday season. (GR Ford Airport)
5. Wyoming Wolves Band Craft Show
Help support the band program at Wyoming High School at its annual craft show, which is from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday (Nov. 27). Many talented crafters and vendors will be on hand to showcase their hard work. Also, the band boosters are planning a bake sale. More information is available on the Wyoming Wolves Bands Craft Show Facebook Page. The school is located at 1350 Prairie Pkwy SW in Wyoming. (Masks are required indoors.)
4. Small Business Saturday
In the Gonzalez household we have really scaled back the last couple of years when it comes to Christmas gifts. We’re lucky. The kids are older now, and we don’t need much. But, we do love to support local businesses. This weekend — in Kentwood, Wyoming and most local communities — small mom and pop shops everywhere are hoping you stop in on Small Business Saturday. Our friends at Sunnyslope Floral will host an indoor mini holiday market with local vendors offering flowers, sweets, cookies, coffee and more. Hours are 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday (Nov. 27) at Sunnyslope, 4800 44th St. SW in Grandville. More info on the event Facebook page. If you’re looking to support other locally owned businesses, check out a list on LocalFirst.com.
3. Rockford Brewing Co. 10th Anniversary
I can’t believe Rockford Brewing Co. has been around for 10 years. That’s like 100 in craft beer years. If you’re headed to the Rockford area this weekend, make sure to check out the 10th anniversary Pub Crawl where local restaurants/bars are showing off special RBC collaborations through the weekend. Some of those collaborations are with Mitten Brewery, Cedar Springs, Founders, Trail Point, Third Nature Brewing and more. The participating Rockford locations include Uccello’s Ristorante (Rockford), Grill One Eleven, Marinades, The Corner Bar, Kayla Rae Cellars, and Rockford Brewing Company, of course. On Small Business Saturday, RBC is offering a 16oz ceramic Camp Mug & RBC Mug Club Membership for only $34.99. More info about the 10th anniversary Pub Crawl on the event Facebook page.
2. Christmas Lite Show
I’m so excited for the return of the annual Christmas Lite Show at LMCU Ballpark in Comstock Park. The popular Grand Rapids event is celebrating 24 years in West Michigan, which means it’s been a part of our family’s tradition since it opened. (We raised our family just down the road so we got to see the lights and the lines every night.) You know the drill: Nearly two miles of Christmas magic with more than a million lights, animated displays, lighted tunnels and more. Tickets are available online or at the ticket window for $28 for most cars. Hours are 5:30-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, and 5:30-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. It runs through Jan. 1. More information at christmasliteshow.com.
1. Christmas at Meijer Gardens
Another West Michigan tradition returns this weekend. It’s the annual University of Michigan Health-West Christmas & Holiday Traditions exhibition at Meijer Gardens, which runs through Jan. 2. You know the drill here, too: More than 300,000 lights, strolling carolers, rooftop reindeer and 46 international trees and displays. But that’s not all. Guests also can enjoy Sounds of the Season, as well as the companion Railway Garden exhibition with miniature buildings handmade from natural materials and model trolleys and trains. Oh, and you know Santa will be making several appearances. In addition to late hours on Tuesdays, Meijer Gardens is open until 9 p.m. on Dec. 20-23 and 27-30. Meijer Gardens is open daily for the holidays, but closed Nov. 25, Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. More details at meijergardens.org.
Well, that’s it for now.
As always, I welcome your input and recommendations for events to include in my Top 5 list. If you have something for me to consider, just send me an email at michigangonzo@gmail.com.
Have a great, safe weekend. Gobble, gobble.
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’s an early adopter of Social Media and SEO expert. 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.
The lights are up on houses all over the place, and this week the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood begin sharing their Holiday spirits. (publicdomainpictures.net)
Some call it Black Friday — Friday, Nov. 26 — but for many in the community it is “dressing up the house for the holiday” day. And this year, the City of Kentwood is offering prizes to people who get their residences in the holiday mood.
The city is inviting residents to show off their decorating skills in its inaugural holiday light display contest, which will run Nov. 26 to Jan. 3, 2022, with the top vote-getters earning prizes, according to an announcement from the city.
“This is a fun way to get into the holiday spirit with neighbors and friends,” Katelyn Bush, Kentwood recreation program coordinator, said in supplied material. “It’s also a great opportunity for residents to tap into their inner Clark Griswold and show off their creative side while brightening the season for others in our community.”
(If you do not get the ‘Griswold’ reference … wait for it … wait for it …)
Residents interested in participating are asked to register online and then submit photos of their outdoor holiday light display. The city will post the photos on its social media platforms, where community members can vote for their favorite display.
The top three vote-getters will earn prizes and bragging rights for a year. The prizes include:
First place: Kentwood’s Clark Griswold Trophy — named after Chevy Chase’s character in the holiday favorite “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” movie — as well as a $40 gift certificate to any Kentwood Parks and Recreation program and department swag.
Second place: A $20 gift certificate to any Kentwood Parks and Recreation program and department swag.
Third place: A $10 gift certificate to any Kentwood Parks and Recreation program and department swag.
Kentwood residents may register for the contest at bit.ly/HolidayLightContest and submit photos of their display at eRecreation@kentwood.us or on social media using the hashtag #KentwoodLightContest between Nov. 26 and Jan. 3.
LANSING — After an unusually warm and stormy summer, the Great Lakes region has in store a “frosty flip-flop” winter, according to the 2021-22 Farmers’ Almanac forecast.
“By that, we mean one month it’s going to start out mild, and it’s going to get icy, it’s going to get snowy,” said Sandi Duncan, the publication’s managing editor. “It’s going be a mixed bag kind of winter.”
The month-to-month contrast follows an unusually stormy summer for the Great Lakes region, which the Almanac predicted to be “muggy and thundery” last April.
The buzzwords for the Great Lakes this winter are “icy and flaky,” the Almanac reports.
January is expected to begin mild with rain and wet snow, followed by 2-5 inches of snow possible in a storm at the end of the month, the publication predicts. February calls for bitter temperatures but little precipitation. March has been projected as snowy and stormy throughout the month.
What makes the Farmer’s Almanac so certain?
That’s hard to know. Its predictions do not include any type of computer satellite tracking or lore-based techniques, such as groundhogs, the publication reports. Its formula includes factors such as “sunspot activity, tidal action of the moon, the position of the planets and a variety of other factors.”
Atmospheric phenomena like El Nino and La Nina were not factors in the forecast, Duncan said. “Some people are saying La Nina might come into play, but we didn’t have a chance to factor that in.”
While the Almanac’s website claims an 80-85% accuracy rate, meteorologists have always suggested taking the Farmers’ Almanac’s predictions with a grain of salt.
In 2017, meteorologist Jan Null compared the accuracy of the almanac’s temperature and precipitation predictions with the actual results. Forecasts were graded as good, not good or mixed, depending on if they were predicted the same as they were observed.
Of the 34 precipitation regions compared, Null rated 21% as “good.” She rated 42% of the 33 temperature regions as good.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration also releases a 90-day prediction forecast from its Climate Prediction Center. Unlike the Farmers’ Almanac, NOAA uses the most up-to-date technology and computer models.
“Covering December, January and February we’re favoring only slightly above normal temperatures and above normal precipitation which includes rain and snow for the Great Lakes,” NOAA meteorologist Brad Pugh said. “La Nina is currently present and we expect La Nina to persist through the winter.”
La Nina is an atmospheric phenomenon that is created by cooler than normal sea surface temperatures across the equatorial line in the central Pacific.
“It typically does lead towards a wetter winter for the Great Lakes region,” Pugh said.
The Farmers’ Almanac has been published since 1818 when it was created by astronomer and weather-watcher David Young, not to be confused with the Old Farmer’s Almanac, which was founded 26 years earlier in 1792 by Robert B. Thomas.
Beyond long-range weather forecasts, the online and print editions now offer gardening tips, natural remedies and recipes.
“Part of the long-lasting appeal of the Farmers’ Almanac is that it’s nostalgic and charming but it is also useful,” Duncan said. “We just stay current with the times and keep reminding people how to live a natural life.”
The Cascade Historical Society, in partnership with Cascade Township and the Cascade Township Downtown Development Authority, is inviting community members of all ages to its annual holiday tree lighting ceremony Sunday, Nov. 28.
The festivities will begin at 5 p.m., according to a Township announcement, with a tree lighting outside at the Cascade Historical Museum, 2839 Thornapple River Drive SE. The free event also will feature a musical performance by The Original Dickens Carolers, giveaways for younger attendees and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Light snacks and beverages will be provided.
The lighting of the 14-foot tree will take place in the museum’s gardens. A second 16-foot tree at the intersection of Old 28th Street SE and Cascade Road SE and the museum’s rooftop also will be lit for the holidays.
“The annual tree lighting ceremony is a wonderful way for friends and neighbors to gather and spread some holiday cheer throughout the community,” Sandra Korhorn, Cascade Township’s economic development director, said in supplied material. “From the beautiful decorations to the music from carolers to the visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, this special event is sure to kick off the holiday fun.”
After arriving by a Cascade fire truck, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be stationed inside the museum for visits. There is no charge for visits or photos with them.
To stay up to date on the tree lighting ceremony, visit the Township’s website or Facebook.
Light shows have been a holiday tradition for many families during the season. From holiday train rides to Christmas carolers, West Michigan has much to offer.
The Gilmore Car Museum will be light up for the holidays. (Supplied)
Winter Wonderland at the Gilmore Car Museum
This holiday season the Gilmore Car Museum has teamed up with Bluewater technologies to present the first-ever “Winter Wonderland” at the Gilmore Car Museum.
“Winter Wonderland” is a drive-thru holiday tour that takes place on the museum’s campus. The drive is 1.5 miles long and guests can drive along the path as they view lighted historical barns, decorated vintage-era dealerships, and 25 individual light displays. Guests can also view artwork exhibits from automotive illustrators including Art Fitzpatrick, Van Kaufman, and Jeff Norwell.
“Dashing Through the Snow” is an additional opportunity for families to ride in vintage cars from the museum’s collection. Families can choose from Ford Model Ts, a Checkered Taxi Cab, a ’63 Cadillac convertible, and several other vintage cars. Tickets are limited for this opportunity and can be purchased for an additional $20 on-site.
Each ticket includes access to the museum on the same evening. Inside the museum, guests may view “Gilmore’s Festival of Trees” alongside classic cars and observe exhibits showing Christmas through the decades. There will be holiday food and beverages available for purchase along with opportunities for holiday gift shopping. Children can visit Santa or play reindeer games. On Friday and Saturday nights, there will be live music.
“Winter Wonderland” will run throughout the holiday season, from Nov. 24 to Jan. 9, on Wednesdays and Thursdays, the museum will be open from 5 – 9 p.m., and on Fridays to Sundays and special holidays, the museum is open from 5 – 10 p.m. Gates close one hour before the end of each night.
The Gilmore Car Museum is located at 6865 W Hickory Rd, Hickory Corners, just outside Kalamazoo. Tickets are sold per person. For adults 18+ tickets purchased at the door cost $20 or $17.50 when purchased online in advance. For those ages, 5-17 tickets cost $12 at the door or $9.50 when purchased online in advance. Children 4 and under are free. Tickets are now available for purchase at GilmoreCarMuseum.org.
Scenes from Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park’s Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around the World exhibition and events. (Supplied/Dean VanDis)
University of Michigan Health-West Christmas & Holiday Traditions
The annual University of Michigan Health-West Christmas & Holiday Traditions exhibition is back at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park.
This is the 27th year of their annual horticulture exhibition. Every year during the holiday season the Gardens transform into a winter wonderland. The exhibition features 46 international trees and displays showcasing different cultures and continents. This year the gardens will be illuminated by 300,000 lights. Inside guests can view the companion Railway Garden exhibition. This is a unique horticultural display that incorporates moving trains and trolleys alongside handcrafted replicas of Grand Rapids landmarks.
On specific dates, the Dickens Carolers will be roaming the Bissell and Gunberg corridors singing holiday favorites. They will be at the Gardens on Nov. 23, Nov. 30, Dec. 7, Dec. 14, and Dec. 21 from 6 – 8 p.m.
Outside guests can bundle up and enjoy an outdoor discovery walk. This year the walk themes are Birds and Their Senses, and Holiday Carols and Symbols. On Saturdays, until Dec. 18, the Rooftop Landing Reindeer Farm will be hosting reindeer visits from 1 – 4 p.m.
The gardens are open on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m, and on Mondays – Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For the holidays season, they have extended their late hours to 9 p.m on Dec. 20-23 and 27-30. They will be closed on Nov. 25, Dec. 25, and Jan. 1.
To enter the gardens tickets for adults are $14.50, students (with student ID) $11, children ages 5 to 13 are $7, children 3 to 4 are $4, and children 2 and under are free. The exhibition will run from Nov. 23 to Jan. 2.. For more information about the holiday exhibition, visit www.meijergardens.org
The Christmas Lite Show returns to the Whitecaps home, LMCU Ballpark in Comstock Park. (courtesy Christmas Lite Show)
Christmas Lite Show
The Christmas Lite Show has become a holiday tradition for many families in West Michigan and this year the attraction is back to spread holiday cheer.
The attraction typically takes half an hour to drive through. This year organizers have added several new animated displays along with new lights and tunnels. Another option is to take a ride on the Memory Lane Train to experience the show. To ride the train tickets are $30 per bench seat. Benches fit two adults comfortably and small children are allowed to sit on laps for free. The train has 10 benches and can fit 20 adults comfortably. Train tickets must be purchased online and are not available for purchase at the station.
Tickets for the drive-thru are available online or at the ticket window. Tickets start at $28 and vary depending on the size of the vehicle. Once purchased tickets are good for one-time use anytime from Nov. 24 to Jan. 1. The attraction is open on Sundays to Thursdays from 5:30 to 9 p.m. and on Fridays and Saturdays, it will be open from 5:30 to 10 p.m.
The attraction is located at LMCU Ballpark in Comstock Park. Tickets and more information can be found at www.christmasliteshow.com.
WKTV’s sports coverage crew was back at work big-time this fall, following a shortened season in 2020 due to the pandemic, as our high school football Featured Game coverage was all over Wyoming and Kentwood — and even make a road trip to Hastings for a playoff game.
And as they can every year, high school sports fans can get their Turkey Day football fix this year as we broadcast 15 hours of football on our cable Channel 25.
The special day of games start at 9 a.m., and highlights the best of our high school football games from the season. The schedule of games (with link to the games on WKTV’s On-Demand video internet channel, at WKTVLive.org ) is as follows:
9 a.m. — Forest Hills Northern at Wyoming High. On-demand
11:15 a.m. — Middleville at South Christian. On-demand
1:25 p.m. — West Ottawa at East Kentwood. On-demand
4:10 p.m. — Kelloggsville at Godwin Heights. On-demand
WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; Channel 26 is the Government cChannel, where local government meetings and events are shown. On AT&T cable throughout the Grand Rapids area, viewers go to Channel 99, and then are give the choice to watch Wyoming (or Kentwood) Community (Channel 25) or Government (Channel 26).
What was once was 96 comedians is now down to eight as the Sunday Night Funnies Kingpin of Comedy competition enters its championship night finals Sunday, Nov. 21.
“This is the first time these eight comedians have made it to the final round in the three-year history of the Kingpin of Comedy competition”, said Brian B. MC and founder of the Sunday Night Funnies. “It goes to show how deep the comedic pool of talent we have here in West Michigan as well as the rest of the state.”
“Besides the eight in the competition, Jerry Donovan, the comedian closing the show while the votes are being counted, performed at the very first Sunday Night Funnies show back in the fall of 2008 in Douglas, Michigan. This past Monday Jerry was elected Mayor of the City of Douglas.”
Since Grand Rapids is the second largest city in Michigan, Brian B. thought that the eventual winner deserved a prize package worthy of the title most humorous person in town. The package includes prizes from local businesses including Craig’s Cruisers, LaughFest, Indigo Road Entertainment, Blue Dog Tavern, Listen Rooming, and Clique Lanes The winner will also receive $100 cash, a tricked-out bowling pin trophy, a personalized Kingpin bowling shirt, and a photo op with the Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss. who will declare him or her the most humorous person in town. The total prize package is valued close to $1,000.
The Sunday Night Funnies is a weekly live stand-up comedy performance featuring a variety of comics from Michigan and around the country. The Sunday Night Funnies is a free admission show that starts at 7:30p.m. and is performed at The Guest House, 634 Stocking NW, Grand Rapids, which is next door to Blue Dog Tavern.
Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and that means if you’re not ready for the holiday season, well, it’s here.
In fact, next week marks the return of two major events:
The annual University of Michigan Health-West Christmas & Holiday Traditions exhibition at Meijer Gardens, which opens Nov. 23. More details at meijergardens.org.
And the popular Christmas Lite Show at LMCU Ballpark, which opens for the holiday season on Nov. 24. Ticket information at christmasliteshow.com.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves just yet.
We have plenty of activities this weekend.
It’s time for Gonzo’s Top 5.
Craft shows are a great place to find unique gifts. (pxhere.com)
5. Comstock Park Craft Show
As I have said for a couple weeks now, community craft shows are a great way to find unique and creative items for the holidays, especially if you have that one person on your shopping list who has everything. It’s also a great way to support local and regional crafters, as well as schools. This weekend Comstock Park High School hosts its annual show from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Saturday (Nov. 20). It is organized by the school’s National Honor Society. Get more info on the event Facebook page. Planning ahead: The Wyoming Wolves Bands Craft show is from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 27.
4. Community Holiday Events
Did you grow up in a small town? It’s always fun to experience the holidays in one of those close-knit communities. This weekend you have a couple great options.
Christmas in Sparta features a tree lighting ceremony, parade and fireworks from 5-8 p.m. Friday (Nov. 19). The parade is at 6 p.m. In addition there are horse-drawn carriage rides, a Candy Cane Lane lighted pathway, food trucks and live music, wreath making and holiday display in the Civic Center. The fireworks are at 7:30 p.m. Check out the Sparta Chamber Facebook page for more info.
Christmas Through Lowell returns with plenty of shopping opportunities all weekend long. More than 56 homes and businesses will feature more than 300 artists, crafters and more. The hours of the event are from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday (Nov. 19); 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday (Nov. 20); and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday (Nov. 21). More information at christmasthroughlowell.org.
Slyde the Otter can’t believe the John Ball Zoo’s 2021 season is almost over. (Supplied)
3. John Ball Zoo
In case you missed an earlier story on WKTV Journal, this is the last weekend of the John Ball Zoo’s 2021 season. The last day is Sunday (Nov. 21). Admission is only $5. The zoo hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Tickets may be purchased at jbzoo.org/tickets. Also, note that many animals are already wintering, but the red pandas, tigers, penguins, chimpanzees, bears and other animals are still out.
Our friends at New Holland Brewing Co. are bringing back Barrel Bash. And they say it’s their “BIGGEST Barrel Bash yet!” Over the course of 10 days, beginning Friday (Nov. 19) they are serving up a variety of barrel-aged beer and whiskey in Holland and Grand Rapids locations.
“Barrel Bash is a celebration of New Holland’s rich history in barrel-aging which dates back to our first years in business,” New Holland’s Joel Armato said in an interview with Gonzo’s Top 5.
“Every year for 10 days in November we put together an amazing draft list comprised of rarities, brand new releases and our favorite current barrel-aged beers. We also highlight and feature the barrel-aged side of our distillery portfolio with featured cocktails and a variety of our more treasured and sought after spirits on offer.”
He said highlights on the beer side are multiple vintages of Dragon’s Milk Triple Mash (varies by location), Rum Barrel-Aged Ichabod Pumpkin Ale, five brand new releases from their Journey Series with everything from fruited sours to a wine barrel saison and pastry stout. “And we have seven never before tapped beers releasing at the start of Barrel Bash this Friday,” he said.
As a coffee lover, I’m looking forward to a coffee collaboration with Stovetop Roasters (roastery in Ann Arbor, cafe in Grand Rapids on Fulton). It’s Dragon’s Milk Coffee, a barrel-aged Colombian coffee.
Now in its 14th year, this festival at DeVos Place in downtown Grand Rapids has become a destination for wine and beer lovers, as well as foodies. More than 1,000 wines, beers, ciders and spirits from around the world, along with creations from the area’s finest restaurants make this a premiere showcase. Hours are 6-10 p.m. Friday (Nov. 19) and 2-10 p.m. Saturday (Nov. 20). Tickets are $20 for single day admission. Tasting tickets are 50 cents per credit. Make sure to download the official App (via iTunes or Google Play) where you can find a list of beverages, check out the Small Plate offerings and the Pairing menus (and make Pairing reservations), check out the Stage seminar schedule, and even buy admission tickets. Organizers are also offering a digital tasting ticket platform through EventsPass. More info at GRWineFestival.com.
That’s it for now.
As always, I welcome your input and recommendations for events to include in my Top 5 list. If you have something for me to consider, just send me an email at michigangonzo@gmail.com.
Have a great, safe weekend.
John D. Gonzalez is a digital journalist with 30-plus years of experience as a food, travel, craft beer and arts & entertainment reporter based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He’s an early adopter of Social Media and SEO expert. 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.
Gerald R. Ford International Airport Director of Commercial Development Stephen Clark talks to WKTV about one of the reasons to be relaxed — and healthy — this holiday season when traveling through the Ford. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
Yes, the Gerald R. Ford International Airport is expecting passenger levels to equal or exceed 2019 pre-pandemic levels this Thanksgiving and Christmas/New Year’s holiday season.
But there is good news on several fronts — from an “all hands on deck” workforce at the airport, to COVID testing being available for travelers, to the local airport bucking a national trend to have crew issues causing flight delays or cancellations.
However, patience, as always, will need to be packed in your carry-on along with your tooth brush and credit card.
A recent forecast by Ford Airport management of 33,000 people traveling in and out, from the Wednesday before Thanksgiving to the Sunday after, may well rise and come close to the 35,000 travelers experienced in 2019. And it should be much the same return to flying norms form the Wednesday before Christmas Day Saturday possibly thorough New Year’s weekend Sunday.
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screening areas at the Ford are expected to be at full strength this holiday season. (WKTV.K.D. Norris)
But airport Director of Commercial Development Stephen Clark told WKTV there will be plenty of reasons to be festive and relaxed this holiday season at the Ford.
“When we look at the holiday season, and trying to celebrate that with our guests, it starts when you come into the facility, creating that sense of place that is West Michigan, so you will see the decorations out here,” Clark said. “But more importantly this year, we are still in the pandemic, so cleanliness is our number one priority.
“As a team, we are cleaning the areas more frequently. You are going to see a heavy emphasis on high-touch areas. And the facility feels different, we are moving the air through the facility more … certainly we are doing everything we can got create a good environment.”
And, Clark said, the Transportation Security Agency (TSA), and all the airports partners, are gearing up for the expected rush — TSA should have all security lines open during peak travel days, he said, and “that should ease one of the more anxious points for travelers, the security check point.”
Tips for travel, as always and due to pandemic
This holiday season is the first time the many people have traveled in a couple of years, Clark said, so, as a general reminder, the first tip for travel is arrive early and pack your checked bags and carry-on bags smartly.
The runway at the Ford International Airport. (Supplied)
“When you are packing your bags make sure you are keeping your medications, your car key and those items you will need right away he you get to your destination, or even come back home, with you,” he said. “Then when you come to the airport, make sure you get here at least two hours early — that is pretty common knowledge these days — but as we get to the holiday season, lines start getting little bit longer, folks start getting a little stressed out … That gives you plenty of time to get your bags checked, if you are checking them, and get through security.”
“Biggest thing we are asking is that people are packing their patience,” Clark added.
There are pandemic requirements to be dealt with as well, especially if you are traveling internationally — make sure you know the COVID requirements of your airlines and at your destination.
“We do have a COVID test site here at the airport that is available to the public, travelers or otherwise,” Clark said. “They can get that PCR Test, that is the gold standard that they will need … additionally when you come to the airport, we just ask that you pack a mask.”
And what about flight delays cancelations
While there has been a lot of talk in recent weeks about airlines needing to cancel flights due to scheduling and crew issues, and the Ford has not been immune to the problem. But there is a simple reason that it is not a big issue, even during busy travel periods — Grand Rapids’ airport is not a huge airport.
“One of the things we started seeing in the later part of the year were flight delays and crew issues. Fortunately, here at the Ford airport, we really haven’t had a ton of that,” Clark said. “That really speaks to the fact that we have so many non-stop destinations. As an airport, we have 30-plus non-stop destinations this holiday season … because we have so many non-stop flights were are not having as many crew issues because they are going right to that destination. … A lot of those issues (crew changes) are happening in major hubs.”
For more information on travel and the Gerald R. Ford International Airport, visit grr.org.
The holiday season will begin with the warm glow of hundreds of luminaries lining the streets of downtown St. Joseph from 5-8 p.m on Friday, Nov. 19. Luminary, sponsored by United Federal Credit Union, creates a joyful atmosphere for all ages to enjoy sales/promotions, specialty items, drawings/giveaways, free gift wrapping and gift ideas galore from participating restaurants and shopkeepers.
“All ages are invited to head downtown for this festive event,” said Amy Zapal, executive director of St. Joseph Today. “Whether you’re looking to enjoy a delicious cup of hot chocolate, grab a sweet treat, or get a jump start on your holiday gift shopping, it’s a great way to kick off the holiday season.”
Additionally, St. Joe Today will kick off the holiday music in downtown St. Joseph during Luminary weekend. Zapal says, “SJT added holiday music throughout downtown in 2019 as part of Window Wonderland.” Zapal goes on to say, “Last year we wanted to start the holiday festivities a little earlier during the unofficial kickoff to the holiday shopping season. We are excited to continue the tradition and to spread a little extra cheer this year!”
Woodland Mall is all set to celebrate the holiday season and its traditions with special holiday shopping and festivities, starting this week with the return of Photos with Santa, an Angel Tree benefitting families and supporting the Salvation Army, and — of course — Black Friday deals looming.
“It’s exciting to see Woodland Mall transform again for the most exciting time of the year,” Alyson Presser, Woodland Mall marketing manager, said in supplied material. “In particular this year, we encourage our shoppers to shop early to ensure product availability and to exercise consideration to retail workers throughout the season.”
Santa, and more, ready for season
Santa will return to his seat in Macy’s court, from Nov. 17 to Dec. 24, to “listen to every child’s Christmas wish and can even read them a book,” according to an announcement from the mall. Reservations are encouraged but not required to have a photo taken with Santa. Digital photo packages are available with options to purchase prints and a family portrait.
There will be lots of photo ops with Santa and kids at Woodland Mall this season. (Supplied)
On Saturday, Nov. 20, the mall will host a welcome event for Santa with a parade lead by the Kentwood High School Dance Team. From 10 am. to noon, Santa will be escorted on a train alongside a holiday penguin, traveling juggler and magician. The parade route will start in the Von Maur wing, travel through the JCPenney wing and end at Macy’s court.
Beginning Nov. 22, “fur babies” — family pets — will again be welcome to visit with Santa for photos on Mondays through Dec. 20. Feathered and whiskered pets of all kinds are welcome — Santa has met dogs, cats, chickens and even goats over the years. All pets may join as long as they are kept on a leash or in a crate at all times.
Santa will again bring his friends for extra special photo opportunities. Shoppers are invited to join their favorite characters beginning Nov. 23 on Tuesdays through Dec. 14 from 4-7 p.m. Reservations are encouraged but not required. To learn which characters are visiting, please visit ShopWoodlandMall.com.
Celebrate the season for a good cause
Woodland Mall has partnered with the Salvation Army to give back to children in the community. Shoppers will find the Salvation Army Angel Tree in the Macy’s wing near the Apple Store starting Nov. 19 and running through Dec. 15.
Unwrapped gifts can be dropped off at the Mall Management Office between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. After office hours, gifts can be dropped off with mall security.
And, of course, Black Friday
Woodland Mall will be closed on Thanksgiving Day to allow retail employees to enjoy the holiday with their families. The mall will reopen at 7 a.m. Friday, Nov. 26, so guests can enjoy an early start to the traditional shopping weekend.
Woodland Mall. (Supplied)
Woodland Mall continues to offer a contactless shopping experience through its Mall2Go: Contact-Free Pickup designated parking spaces.
Woodland Mall hours leading up to the holidays are Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. (But, hint to shoppers, to avoid the crowds, Woodland Mall recommends shopping Monday through Thursday when traffic is at a lighter pace.)
On Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, the mall will be open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Woodland Mall will be closed on Christmas Day. On Dec. 26, the mall will be open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Visit ShopWoodlandMall.com for a full list of in-store deals and retailer information.
Woodland Mall appreciates shoppers’ cooperation and understanding as several retailers and restaurants enter the busiest time of the year short staffed.
The safety of all guests remains a top priority for PREIT. Woodland Mall asks all visitors to follow Kent County Health Department, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and CDC recommendations to keep the community safe and healthy.
Jonathan Jelks, left and Willie ‘Willie The Kid’ Jackson, right, are throwing a party downtown Grand Rapids on November 13. “The Taste of Black Spirits” will be held at City Flats Hotel, and will feature Black owned beverage based businesses, with plenty of drinks to taste and try. (Courtesy Image)
Looking to break out of the box, or the bottle? The Taste of Black Spirits event that happened this past weekend expanded people’s tasting horizons, while also celebrating minority owned beverage companies. Hosted by two Grand Rapids-based entrepreneurs, this event is just one part of their vision to diversify West Michigan.
“The event is a fantastic way to spotlight, support and celebrate black owned brands in the market that people may not know exist,” said Nayana Ferguson, owner of Anteel Tequila, one of the Black-owned vendors that was at the Taste of Black Spirits which was held at the City Flats Hotel on Saturday.
The event had been put together by Jonathon Jelks and his business partner Willie “Willie the Kid” Jackson. Together with their company GR USA, a merchandising entity, as well as Lazar Favors, a Detroit-based marketing company, they pulled together about two dozen minority-owned beverage businesses for the one-day only event.
Jelks and Jackson participated in a similar event in Detroit, and were inspired to bring the energy and vibe back to their hometown of Grand Rapids.
“I’m from Southeast Grand Rapids, so this area is near and dear to my heart,” said Jelks during an interview. “Being here in the ‘Rust Belt’ as they call it, and I’m proud to be part of the transformation.” The duo founded their own spirits company, Motu Viget, in 2019. They currently have three products in the market: Motu Viget Brut, Eye Candy, and Avani Supreme Vodka, with more than 200 placements in the Michigan market, which includes 70 Meijer stores.
For Jelks, it’s important to pass on both his knowledge and his success. “With us having our own spirits company, and having some traction and some success, we wanted to bring some of that to others,” he said. “We wanted to make sure that the small businesses could make the proper connections, and succeed as well. We are in a unique position to do this”.
Jelks’ background is in ‘serial entrepreneurship’. “Anything where I see there is a niche and we can contribute and service the community, those are the kind of things that float my boat,” he explained.
“We felt that the next thing that is going to help Grand Rapids become a world class community is by creating culture. Bars are a big part of that, live entertainment venues are a part of that.”
In addition to the Nov. 13 event, the duo has a whole host of other developments in the works.
Ambiance GR Kitchen & Lounge, which will be located in the former Raggs to Riches space, should open by the end of 2021. “Ambiance will have live entertainment, events, and will have a kitchen component to it. We’ll be serving American and Cajun dishes, something unique for the restaurant ecosystem downtown Grand Rapids. We are super excited for Ambiance, everyone has been anticipating it, and we are really ready to share it with the community.”
Sip Coffee and Cocktails in Grand Rapids on Alger and Eastern is yet another place that they’ve invested in, along with other partners. This spot is a coffee shop/bar hybrid, and a spot that will welcome all, no matter the time of day.
The duo’s entrepreneurial spirit isn’t limited to just Grand Rapids, they also have two bars in the works in Muskegon. The Motu Lakeshore Wine Bar, named after their spirits company, and Prohibition, an event space, will both be housed in the same building right downtown on 8th Street and should open in the next year.
With no restaurant experience, it’s been a bit of a learning curve for Jelks. Coming out of the pandemic, he’s getting a baptism by fire into the industry. “Labor costs, hiring the right staff, staffing the kitchen is really brutal right now,” he said. “So many people just don’t want to be in the industry anymore, or feel underwhelmed by the pay, and where things are at. There’s a lot of things the industry has to address, and those of us who are invested in the industry are learning to navigate those things.”
Jelks clearly has a bigger vision than just owning a bar or two. And not that owning and operating those alone aren’t a big deal. He’s thinking all the time about Grand Rapids as a whole, and that is what sets him apart. “I look at how some people in Grand Rapids have built big businesses, being very forward thinking, by diversifying our economy,” he said. “Our city has done a great job in figuring out how to problem solve, and keep people gainfully employed. As small business owners, you just want to continue to add to that DNA, add to that fabric, and create more opportunities. Despite the fact that we have one of the fastest growing cities here in the country, when it comes to black and brown folks, our ratings aren’t so high. There was a Forbes article that came out about 4-5 years ago that rated Grand Rapids as one of the worst cities economically for African Americans. One of the ways we can change these social inequities is through entrepreneurship. That’s very important. We want to not only create businesses where we’ll make money and be successful, but also where we’ll create that pipeline for other entrepreneurs and other folks that can be in leadership in Grand Rapids and Muskegon.”
Anteel Tequila (Courtesy Image)
One of the vendors that was at the Taste of Black Spirits was Anteel Tequila, a Michigan-based spirits company. “Anteel Tequila launched in August of 2018 only in Michigan, our home state and since then Anteel has won over 27 awards, expanded to 8 states, the Caribbean and received global attention for our world’s only Coconut Lime Blanco Tequila,” said owner Ferguson. “We have three additional expressions besides Anteel Coconut Lime that includes a Blanco, Reposado and a limited release Tarocco Blood Orange Blanco Tequila”.
“I think it’s slow, but I’m new to the spirits industry, but I’m having my eyes open to the business,” said Jelks. “It’s like having an epiphany. There are so many different avenues on how to make money in this industry. But also how to have a good time, how to curate. And once you have an internal knowledge of how the spirits industry works, you will find some kind of opportunity. And we just want to encourage people to do so. Knowing what is out there is half the battle.”
“The Black community is not only asking for more Black ownership, but they are also looking for the avenues to gain traction with.” Mainstream following is the key to success, Jelks emphasized. “It’s our job as Black pioneers to make a way to put a magnifying glass on it, so everyone can see clearly that this is happening. That this transformation is on.”
Jelks doesn’t mince words. “Grand Rapids is suffering from a diversity problem,” he said. “Culturally, we need more events downtown that are culturally led. That is what makes you into a diverse, world class city that is a magnet for attraction and retention, in 2021.
What could young entrepreneurs of color do to move their vision forward? According to Jelks, “Utilize the tools and resources you have in front of you, study up on the position that you want to be in. There is a glamor side to having your own alcohol, but there is so much work. This is one of the more archaic businesses that is still around.” He stressed how hands-on this business is, and that it really isn’t too far off from Prohibition with many of the rules and regulations. “Relationships still mean a lot,” he stressed.
“The industry can be difficult to navigate in for emerging brands without immense marketing budgets,” said Ferguson. “Events like [The Taste of Black Spirits] allow brands to get in front of the masses in a fun, educational manner, allowing us to grow our audience.”
Events like this allow all of us to expand our range of what we taste and experience.
“We’re having the time of our lives doing this,” said Jelks. “We’re busy,”
Mel Trotter Ministries will be collecting turkeys at its annual Turkey Drop set for Wednesday. (pxhere.com)
Mel Trotter Ministries will host its 18th annual Turkey Drop this Wednesday with Celebration! Cinema South being one of three turkey drop-off locations.
The event collects frozen turkeys from area residents which will be given to those in need for the holiday season. Last year, Mel Trotter Ministries had the goal of collecting 2,500 frozen turkeys and the community’s outpouring resulted in surpassing the goal by more than double. Organizers said they hope to surpass last year’s numbers.
Frozen turkeys may be dropped off curbside. Mel Trotter Ministries’s staff and volunteers will be grabbing the turkeys from the vehicles quickly and safely while wearing masks and gloves. Mel Trotter Ministries is partnering with Feeding America West Michigan who will be distributing the frozen turkeys to food pantries and local organizations at no cost to them.
Drop off is from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Celebration! Cinema South, 1506 Eastport Dr. SE; Celebration! Cinema North, 2121 Celebration Dr. NE, and Mel Trotter Ministries Downtown, 225 Commerce Ave. SE.
The Grand Rapids South Christian High School football team’s rushing attack was in stride Nov. 5 at Hastings as the Sailors totaled 386 total yards in a 38-14 road win. (WKTV)
The Grand Rapids South Christian High School football team rolled back into the state Division 4 Regional title game this week after running past host Hastings, 38-14, in a District championship game last week.
The Nov. 5 win, which is available in replay on WKTV video platforms, was the second playoff win for the Sailors (now 8-3 overall) after an equally impressive 52-7 road win at Plainfield in Week 1.
Awaiting for South Christian this week is familiar foe Edwardsburg, on the road of course, which has been equally impressive in the playoffs with a 58-0 win over Paw Paw followed by 50-0 win over Three Rivers as the Eddies remained unbeaten at 11-0.
And while the game at Edwardsburg is an encore of last year’s Regional final, when the Sailors’ season ended with a 47-7 road loss, South Christian head coach Danny Brown said he knows the importance of the game but does not see it as having any extra meaning.
Grand Rapids South Christian High School football team gained its second straight District championship trophy with a 38-14 road win at Hastings Nov. 5. (WKTV)
“I think it adds another level of excitement to play the team that ended your season the year before but it shouldn’t be our driving force,” Brown said to WKTV. “We need to prepare for Edwardsburg no different than we do any other team we play. We are just excited to get another opportunity to compete.”
And compete the Sailors have in the three seasons after Brown took over for Mark Tamminga following the 2018-19 season. In Brown’s first season, South Christian went 6-5 overall and lost in the district final; last year — in a pandemic-impacted, start-and-stop season — the Sailors went 8-1 before their loss at Edwardsburg.
“I think the big difference between the two years is the fact we get to play the game right away,” Brown said of his team’s rematch with the Eddies. “We had a lot of momentum last year and then the season was suspended. We had a month off before we played them. They did a better job of keeping their kids engaged during the down time and it showed when we played them.”
But, Brown also said, this year’s Sailors are not the same team as last year’s Sailors.
“Defensively we are bigger and stronger upfront which is something we will need against their high powered rushing attack,” he said. “We are more balanced from an offensive perspective.”
And while Brown has said he wants his team to be balanced when it comes to offense, the South Christian rushing attack was in full glory last week against Hastings.
Sailors break open a 14-14 game in 2nd quarter
Coming into South Christian’s game at Hastings, coach Brown told WKTV of his affinity for a balanced attack being borrowed from Urban Meyer, one-time Ohio State University and current NFL head coach, and how this Sailors team has that balance.
“Urban Meyer used to say, when he was coaching a game, … he wanted 200 and 200 hundred. 200 passing and 200 rushing yards, and we are pretty close to that,” Brown said.
His team did not play to script against Hastings, however, as the Sailors had 43 rushing attempts, gained 18 first downs and scored five touchdown on the ground en route to 302 total rushing yards. Junior quarterback Jake DeHaan led the rushing attack with 116 years on 13 carries with one touchdown, while junior Nate Brinks totaled 102 yards on 11 carries with two touchdowns and senior Chandler VanSolkema added 78 yards and one touchdown on 16 carries.
The passing attack was effective when used, however, with DeHaan going 8-of-12 for 87 passing yards and one touchdown, that one going to senior Ashton Fennema on a 26-yard strike. Senior Jace DeMann led the team in receptions with four for 33 yards.
Sailors kicker Brinks scored eight points on one field gold and five points after touchdown.
On defense, DeMann and junior Cameron Post each had 6.5 tackles, while senior Clayton DeKam had six and senior Colton Schreur had five, as Hastings was held to 14 points, all in the first half, and 204 total yards on offense.
WKTV game replays available
WKTV featured games are on cable television in Wyoming and Kentwood on Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T Channel 99 Community Channel. See the programming schedule at wktv.org. For more information on WKTV coverage of football and other fall prep sports, follow us at wktvjournal.org/sports.
All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV’s video coverage team, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.com.
Area residents will have the opportunity to explore a variety of different cultures during the Grand Rapids Public Museum’s Ethnic Heritage Festival. (Supplied)
On All Saints Day, which is Nov. 1, it is a tradition in Poland to visit the cemetery and decorate your loved one’s grave with flowers and candles.
“From what I understand, you can see it for miles and it is very beautiful,” said Marilyn Lignell, who is a member of the Polish Heritage Society. It also sounds very similar to another tradition that is hosted halfway around the world in Mexico when on the same day, Mexicans celebrate Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead), a time when family and friends honor and remember those who have died.
“I think it is very interesting how the different ethnicities overlap in costumes, food and traditions,” Lignell said.
The similarities and differences of the various cultures that make up the Greater Grand Rapids area is something that residents will be able to explore this weekend as the Grand Rapids Public Museum hosts is annual Fall Cultural Celebration which includes the school-focused Anishinabe Culture Days on Friday and the public event, the Ethnic Heritage Festival, on Saturday.
Many of the local ethnic organizations will have items and other displays to help get conversations started. (Supplied)
“The Museum takes pride in valuing, honoring and celebrating the unique cultures, characteristics and perspectives of our community and beyond through engaging, community-oriented programming, and we are excited for the return of the Fall Cultural Celebration,” said Dr. Stephanie Ogren, the GRPM’s Vice President of Science & Education. “The Museum proudly serves as a central hub, bringing culture to life within our spaces through community members who are deeply connected to their own culture and are eager to share their history, experiences and traditions.”
Running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the day-long activities will feature music, art, food, visual presentations, and performances from an array of different organizations such as the Polish Heritage Society, the Grand Rapids Scottish Society, Shimmy USA, Gaelic League/Irish-American Club of West Michigan, Picardo Colours which features Carribean art, Mystic Spirits Art, Les Clay, the Korean Connection, and the Motherland Cultural Connections, which focuses on the history and cultures of the continent of Africa.
“We participate because we want people to know that Africa is here and that we are very much a part of the diverse community that makes up West Michigan,” said Myra Maimoh, founder of the Motherland Cultural Connections.
Maimoh said people tend to not realize that Africa is a continent made up of many different cultures all with their own traditions
“Through the Festival, we have an opportunity to showcase the different cuisines and music,” Maimoh said. “It is so cool because people come asking questions and you see the cultural immersion that happens right there. To be able to explain and share and make a connection and build new friendships is very humbling and fulfilling.”
Costumes will be just some of the items on display during the Ethnic Heritage Festival at the Grand Rapids Public Museum. (Supplied)
Even though Polish people have been interwoven into the history of Grand Rapids since about 1870 when many were trying to escape German rule, Lignell admits that like Maimoh, residents don’t fully understand the history and culture of the county and its people.
“People come up to the tables and it opens up discussions, giving us an opportunity to talk about the country, the history and the culture,” Lignall said, adding that this year she plans to focus on Wigilia or Poland’s Christmas Eve traditions, which will include a take-and-make ornament activity. “The result is you discover a lot about the different cultures and gain a greater appreciation of the people who make up our community.”
For more information about the Ethnic Heritage Festival visitgrpm.org/EHF and for more information on other events and activities taking place at the Grand Rapids Public Museum, visit grpm.org.
Beltline Drive-In (Photo from the Wyoming Historical Commission)
For almost forty years, the Beltline Drive-In Theater was a beacon along 28th Street, welcoming movie lovers from allover West Michigan. In 1948, Jack looks jumped into the booming post-war drive-in theater business when he bought land on 28th Street in Wyoming to build the theater, which would eventually include a miniature golf course and “Bounce Land” trampoline court. The theater, which was known for its waving Bugs Bunny and Goofy, had a capacity of 850 cars.
The drive-in theater would eventually be replaced by Studio 28, the area’s first in-door multiplex movie theater that featured 20 theaters in one. Studio 28 would close in 2019. The site is now the home of HOM Flats, which faces Prairie Parkway, and Frankie V’s restaurant, facing 28th Street. Jack Looks theater company, which is still locally owned, evolved into Celebration! Cinema with theaters at RiverTown Mall, on the East Beltline and Knapp, and on Kalmazoo Avenue near the M-6 interchange.
The image is supplied by the Wyoming Historical Commission. The commission operates the Wyoming Mich. Historical Room at the KDL Wyoming Branch, 3350 Michael Ave. SW. The history room is open every Tuesday from 9:30 – noon. For more about the Wyoming Historical Commission, visit the organization’s Facebook page.
Tickets are now available for “Disney on Ice celebrates Mickey and Friends” which will be at the Van Andel Arena Feb. 10 -13.
Mickey Mouse is joined by Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy on a journey to discover Mickey’s favorite memory of all time. Using Mickey’s “Mouse Pad,” show hosts encourage fans to be part of the action and help the gang venture through Disney stories, sharing memorable moments from treasured tales. Along the way, families sail away with Moana as she displays courage to save her island on a high-seas adventure with the demigod Maui. Families will continue the journey to the wintery world of Arendelle as royal sisters Anna and Elsa discover true love is the most powerful magic of all and experience the mysterious magic of “Fantasia” as a Sorcerer’s Apprentice makes brooms come to life.
Show times are 7 p.m. Feb. 10 and 11; 11 a.m., 3 and 7 p.m., Feb. 12; and 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Feb. 13. Tickets start at $20. For tickets. visit www.DisneyOnIce.com.
Note, health checks are required by the event organizer. This means that attendees may need to provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19, proof of a negative COVID-19 diagnostic test prior to entering the event, a rapid onsite COVID-19 test, or participate in a brief health questionnaire. Face masks are encouraged. For more information, visit www.DisneyOnIce.com.
Kentwood resident Pattee Bender received the Sweet Adeline of the Year Award. (Supplied)
It was an award well deserved. This year’s Sweet Adeline of the Year Award went to Pattee Bender, who has been a contributing member for 24 years. Her strong work ethic, and superior knowledge of the barbershop art form, and the many roles she plays within the group led to the honor.
So, what exactly went through her mind when her name was announced as the winner?
“Whaattttt? They called my name?,” she said. “I didn’t think it would be me. I truly am so surprised, grateful and humbled.”
Bender serves as choreographer, is the showmanship leader and oversees costume and makeup teams for the Grand Rapids Chapter of Sweet Adelines. In addition, she serves as the coordinator of the singing group’s upcoming travels.
“Almost a year ago, with optimism and excitement, our chorus accepted the invitation to sing at Pearl Harbor for the 80th commemorative anniversary,” Bender said. “I have been the point person with our music tour company, and am responsible for coordinating registrations, hotel information, forms, payment schedules and communicating information to our performers and travelers.”
It may seem a bit overwhelming, but that is one of the reasons why Bender received her award. She goes about every task with unbridled enthusiasm, attention to details and immense talent.
Pattee Bender’s reaction when her name was announced.
Bender receives her award.
Master Director Denise VanDyken agrees.
“I was surprised at the number of candidates that were nominated for this award. They are all so talented,” VanDyken said. “Pattee is very deserving of this prestigious award and we are all very proud of her.”
The Grand Rapids Chapter of Sweet Adelines is an a cappella group that sings in four-part harmony. The group just marked its 70th anniversary, making it one of the longest running barbershop singing groups in the world.
For more about the Sweet Adelines Grand Rapids or to join the group, visit their website, www.grsa.net.
Two separate exhibits one in Saugatuck and the other in Muskegon, explore relationships in two different forms, human connection and materialistic.
Saugatuck [Has Heart]
“No Man Left Behind” is one of the logos created through the [Has Heart] program.
The Grand Rapids-based [Has Heart] was born over a cup of coffee between U.S. Veteran Michael Yacinthe and artist and designer Tyler Way in 2010. The two realized the disconnect between their two worlds and in the process created [Has Heart], a non-profit organization that brings veterans and civilian designers together for coffee and to create art. Through the process the duo design a logo that helps shares the veteran’s story.
[Has Heart] has since traveled around the United States with the goal of visit every state in the country and working with veterans to create a badge which visually showcases his or her story. Twelve of these personal and inspiring stories will be on display at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts until Dec. 22. There also will be a free all ages exhibition celebration on Friday, Nov. 12, in honor or Veterans Day (which is the day before). That event starts at 6 p.m. and features Michigan bluegrass performance Mark Lavengood.
Also at the SCA is the mixed media works of Mariah Meawasige in “How 2 cCean Fish.”Measwasige is an Anishinaabe/settler creative, dedicated to sharing the traditions that have built, morphed, and supported her community.
The SCA is located at 400 Culver St., Saugtuck. For more information visit sc4a.org.
Muskegon gets adorned
The work of Detroit artist Tiff Massey will be featured at the Muskegon Museum of Art.
This Thursday the Muskegon Museum of Art opens the 1980s hip-hop fashion-inspired exhibiting “Jewelry Box,” which will run through Feb. 20. The exhibit features the work of Detroit artist Tiff Massey, who will use large-scale jewelry pieces, gold, and mirrors to transform the MMA’s Olthoff Gallery into a flashy display of dynamic exploration, self-identity, and fashion. Massey uses the concept of adornment as an examination of African diaspora and issues of race, class, and popular culture.
Massey was the first black woman to earn a master’s degree in metalsmithing from Cranbrook Academy of Art and maintains her studio space practice in Detroit.
The opening reception will be Thursday form 5 – 6 p.m. followed by an Artist Talk at 7 p.m.
The Muskegon Museum of Art is located at 296 W. Webster Ave., Muskegon For more information, visit muskegonartmuseum.org.
Action from 2020’s City of Kentwood Freeze Fest disc golf tournament, and pantry food drive — the weather is expected to be better this year, but … (City of Kentwood)
Rain or shine, cool or downright wintery, the City of Kentwood and Great Lakes Disc will again partner to offer the annual Fall Fling, a disc golf tournament and food drive set for Saturday, Nov. 13.
Community disc golfers of all skill levels are invited to bring a partner for a best-shot doubles tournament at Old Farm Park, 2350 Embro Drive SE. Each participant will receive a player package at check-in with opportunities for extra prizes during the event.
On-site registration will begin at 9 a.m, but pre-registration is encouraged online at kentwood.us/FallFlingDiscGolf. The cost is $40 per team plus one canned food donation for Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry.
A disc golf player in action from the 2019 Fall Fling event. (City of Kentwood)
“Our Fall Fling has become a popular event for disc golfers to continue playing during the fall season and join together to support a good cause,” Val Romeo, Kentwood Parks and Recreation director, said in supplied material. “Our disc golf tournaments with Great Lakes Disc have helped restock Kentwood’s Little Free pantry with dozens of canned goods again and again. We are very grateful to the local disc golf community for its continued generosity and participation.”
Players will meet at 9:45 a.m. to begin the first round of the tournament.
Patty Matters food truck will be on-site with a variety of gourmet burgers, fries and dessert and soda options available for purchase.
“It’s always great to be involved with the community,” Shea Abbgy, owner of Great Lakes Disc, said in supplied material. “Old Farm Park has served as a meeting place for friends and family for many years. This event is a great way for us that have some to give to give back to those in need.”
The Kentwood Little Free Pantry initiative began in 2017 as a community service project in honor of Martin Luther King Jr, according to supplied material. The small food pantry is open to all community members year-round and is designed to fill an immediate and local need. It offers non-perishable food and personal care items. Anyone can utilize or donate to the pantry. No application is required and no questions are asked.
The demand for Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry has steadily increased since its opening at the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th St. SE — and even more so during the COVID-19 pandemic.
To help meet the growing need, the City of Kentwood launched another Little Free Pantry this year at the Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch, 4950 Breton Ave. SE.
More information about the pantry, including hours and a suggested list of donations, is available at kentwood.us/LittleFreePantry.
James Smither of the GVSU Veterans History Project interviews David “Goldie” Goldsboro and Sid Lenger. (WKTV)
By Anna Johns WKTV Contributing Writer
According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, there are 19 million U.S veterans as of this year. In Michigan alone, there are 634,000 veterans, making up 8.8 percent of the state’s population.
In 2006, Professor James Smither founded the Grand Valley State University Veterans History Project. Since the project began, Smither estimates that he has completed more than a thousand interviews. Smither works alongside a team of student interns, research assistants, and community volunteers and partners. Together they have conducted numerous interviews with military veterans of all eras. In addition, they also have interviewed civilians of foreign nations who had experiences with Americans during the wartime.
The program is in partnership with the Library of Congress Veterans History Project. The team creates videos and archives oral interviews focusing on the experiences of military veterans. Over the years, the team has collected a wide range of interviews with veterans from WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and the Middle East. The project has worked to create documentary films, book projects, and live presentations.
On Wednesday, Nov. 10, at 2 p.m., Smither will be presenting his findings to the public. During the presentation, Smither will describe the project and include excerpts of interviews that have been conducted over the years. Participating in his presentation are veterans Ron Oakes and Bob Huizenga and Rick Jakubczak.
Huizenga served as a marine in Vietnam. He joined the marines shortly after he graduated high school and was deployed to Vietnam. During his time in the Marines, he served as a machine gunner, assistant driver, and helped transport men and supplies during the Tet Offensive in 1986.
Oakes served as a marine in Vietnam as well and with the Army National Guard in Iraq. During his time in the Guard he helped provide security for the 1996 Summer Olympic games in Atlanta and spent eleven months in Iraq in 2005. He served with his unit until March of 2009 when he retired at the age of sixty.
Jakubczak, a retired Navy corpsman, has spoken at a number of veteran events, sharing his stories and perspective of the Vietnam War.
The public is invited to join Dr. Smithers for his presentation on the Grand Valley State University Veterans History Project. The presentation will be held in the Paul Collins Room at Marge’s Donut Den at 1751 28th St. SW. The program is part of the Mr. Sid’s Video Series event that is held at Marge’s Donut Den.
I turned on Christmas music for the first time last night as I was driving down U.S. 131 and seeing the lights at LMCU Ballpark, which is prepping for the annual Christmas Lite Show display. I can’t believe it’s their 24th year this season.
You know, I’m ready for the holidays.
How about you?
This weekend’s Gonzo’s Top 5 includes holiday events, a sports card shop opening, a chili cook-off and great Grand Rapids restaurants.
Enjoy.
Oh, and Winter Wonder Walks at the Christmas Lite Show in Comstock Park are next weekend (Nov. 11-14). For ticket information, click here.
As always, I welcome your input and recommendations for events to include in my Top 5 list. If you have something for me to consider, just send me an email at michigangonzo@gmail.com.
Here we go.
Craft season has started. This week’s featured show is Jenison Christian School. (Photo from Pxhere.com)
5. Craft Show Season
Many craft shows are returning this year, which is exciting for those who love to shop local and get some unique items. If you have a favorite show, please let me know. I plan to include them in our weekly list here on WKTV Journal. This weekend you can check out the annual Fall Arts & Crafts Festival at Jenison Christian School. The event is from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday (Nov. 6). You will find both original handmade crafts and baked goods. More info on the school’s Facebook page.
A sampling of items available at the Thornapple Sports Cards & Games opening on Saturday. (Thornapple Sports Cards & Games)
4. Thornapple Sports Cards & Games Grand Opening
I’m so nostalgic about sports cards. I collected them as a kid. Got back into the hobby after college. Then I got excited all over again when my kids were kids. Today, I don’t keep up with it like I used to, but I know there is a resurgence in collectibles, especially as NFTs become all the rage. (That’s another topic for another day.) This weekend Thornapple Sports Cards & Games in Hastings has its grand opening with special guest, outfielder/catcher Eric Haase of the Detroit Tigers. He’ll be signing from noon-2 p.m. Saturday (Nov. 6). Autographs are $20. I talked to owner Austin Ball the other day who is so excited to open his store, and bring in one of his favorite Tigers players. Learn more about what specials and deals you can get this weekend on the Thornapple Sports Cards & Games Facebook page. It is located at 107 E State St. Suite B., Hastings. Grand opening is from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Dan and Lis Verhil bring back their famous Chili Cook-Off this weekend.
3. Chili Cook-Off at the Ballpark (Sullivan Field)
It’s back! Lisa and Dan Verhil, former owners of the Cottage Bar in Grand Rapids, are excited that Fans of Valley Field wanted to bring back their popular chili cook-off. After a five-year hiatus, it returns Saturday (Nov. 6) at Sullivan Field, 650 Valley Ave NW, Grand Rapids. Proceeds benefit Kids’ Food Basket and Fans of Valley Field to help restore and renovate Sullivan/Valley Field.
“Dan and I are truly excited to bring back the chili cook off, especially when we’re raising money for two great causes, Valley Field and Kids’ Food Basket,” Lisa Verhil told Gonzo’s Top 5. “We’re also excited to see our favorite Chiliheads who have cooked with us during our previous chili cook-offs. Several of them are returning, and it will be great to see them.”
The event is from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday with live entertainment beginning at noon. Chili tasting and judging begins at 3 p.m. Traditional Red & Homestyle categories, with more than 30 teams. Admission is $5 in advance (includes 3 chili tastes), and $10 at the door. Tickets for chili tastes are $1 each. Yes, there will be adult beverages, too. More info, including a schedule of events, at ballparkchili.com.
2. Bridge Street Makers Market + Bar Hop
In the mood for some early holiday shopping? Traverse to the Stock-Bridge Neighborhood of Grand Rapids to shop 35 makers. Locations Include Harmony Hall, One Bourbon and Bridge Street Market. Products will be a wide variety of handmade goods such as jewelry, knit goods, home decor, metal working, prints, soap, paintings, candles, and more. The event is FREE to attend! You only pay for items you purchase, and the drinks, of course. This is designed as a family-friendly event. More info available on the Bridge Street’s Maker’s Market Facebook event page.
1. Restaurant Week GR
This is an event I have supported since it debuted more than 10 years ago. I’ve done many stories, judged events, dined with the Lovely Pam (we just celebrated our 35th wedding anniversary) and taken contest winners to some of the best restaurants in Grand Rapids. One thing I’ve learned over all these years: These chefs ALWAYS deliver. Restaurant Week GR begins today and runs through Nov. 13 with more than 50 restaurants offering some incredible meals. This year you can sign up for Restaurant Week GR’s Digital Pass, then use it to check in to at least three participating restaurants for a foodie-themed gift. Plus, you’ll earn a digital coupon for a return visit to each restaurant you visit. For a list of restaurants and more details go to experiencegr.com/restaurant-week.
Please let me know if you make any great restaurant discoveries during Restaurant Week GR.
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’s an early adopter of Social Media and SEO expert. 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.
South Christian High School senior leader Jace DeMann talks to WKTV about how he and his team deal with the Sailors playing all their games on the road. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
The Grand Rapids South Christian High School football team has, in some ways, an offense built for a November playoff game, and they are certainly of the mindset that playing on the road is just another bus trip to their next game.
The Sailors followed up a 6-3 regular season with an impressive 52-7 road win at Plainfield (also 6-3 in the regular season) in Week 1Division 4 District semifinal state playoff game.
Such a scenario often means a home game in the second round, but South Christian will be on the road again this week, at Interstate 8 Athletic Conference champion Hastings (9-1 after a 56-18 opening round win over Charlotte) — a game which will be the WKTV Featured Game of the week with both cable television and on-demand replays available.
Of course, going on the road is nothing new for head coach Danny Brown or Sailors senior leader Jace DeMann, as the team currently plays their home games at East Kentwood High School as South Christian fully builds out their new campus in Byron Center.
Grand Rapids South Christian High School’s home football field does not have the Sailors’ logo on it and still requires a bus to get there — for the time being, it is at East Kentwood High School. (WKTV)
“Obviously, we’d love to have our own field and home field advantage,” Brown said to WKTV this week as he team practiced — at Kelloggsville High School’s field. “We get home crowds, when we play at East Kentwood, but it is not like having all our true fans. … But what it (playing on the road) really helps us to do is just focus on the moment at hand.
“It really doesn’t matter if we are traveling or not, because as you say, we are getting on the bus to play our home games. I think, for us, I am big on preaching that week, that game. Let’s only worry about the task at hand. I think that little bus ride, no matter where we are going, helps dial that in. It’s never about the travel, or who we are playing. It’s about us, and I think that kind of bus ride, going wherever, kind of sums that whole philosophy up.”
DeMann, also talking to WKTV this week, said in some ways the bus trip is valuable as a moment of personal reflection in anticipation of playing a game he loves to play.
“Leaving the campus it’s pretty normal … it’s a normal bus ride, but when we get there, we do a quiet time. Just think about what your roll is for the game. What you have got do in the game to prepare yourself,” DeMann said.
“We are definitely not intimated by it (playing on the road), once we get between the white lines it’s just playing the game we love, football. Every week we put our passion into it … It is just the next game up. … It’s just another week of football.”
Resilient defense and balanced offense
South Christian High School head coach Danny Brown talks to WKTV about his team’s ability to both run and pass the ball on offense — and why that is even more important in a early November playoff game. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
Two things have been clear this season for the South Christian football team: the have a bend-but-don’t-break defense and, for a team that has averaged almost 36 points a game this season, the Sailors are not a high-powered passing attack — unless they need to be.
First that defense, which allowed an average of 17.7 points per game so far but which Coach Brown says has improved as the year has gone on.
“Even though we are giving up 17 (points per game), we feel we weren’t as good as we needed to be,” Brown said. “The biggest thing for us is we have a couple of really good playmakers up front. We’ve struggled at times just a little bit, but we’ve been good enough that we kind of have the ‘bend but don’t break.’ Teams are getting yards on us, but we are just not letting them score. … It’s impressive that we are not letting teams in” the end zone.
And, Brown says, he likes to see his team having a balanced attack — which they do, rushing for 2,192 yards, averaging 219 per game, with 37 touchdowns, while passing for 1,727 yards, averaging 172.7 per game, with 12 touchdowns.
Part of that affinity for a balanced attack is borrowed from Urban Meyer (one-time Ohio State University and current NFL head coach) and part is Coach Brown knowing that his team can adapt to changing defenses and changing weather.
“I think the beauty of this team is that depending on the team, the scheme we are playing against, we have the ability to either run or throw … it is huge that we are not heavy one way or another, especially being in the spread (offense),” Brown said. “Urban Meyer used to say, when he was coaching a game, … he wanted 200 and 200 hundred. 200 passing and 200 rushing yards, and we are pretty close to that.”
And “for us, as the playoffs roll, we continue to win, with the cold weather, being able to run is a huge asset. Just because you never know what the weather is going to dictate.”
Where and when to see WKTV coverage
WKTV featured games will on cable television in Wyoming and Kentwood on Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T Channel 99 Community Channel, rebroadcast on the night of the game and various days and times the week after. See the programming schedule at wktv.org. For more information on WKTV coverage of football and other fall prep sports, follow us at wktvjournal.org/sports.
All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV’s video coverage team, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.com.
Together by St. Jude has just released a free coloring book that talks about the COVID-19 vaccine and how it protects people from the virus. (Together by St. Jude)
On the heels of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s emergency use approval for a COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5-11, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has created a free coloring book to help children learn about vaccines and how they work to prevent COVID-19.
The coloring book was developed and reviewed by patient education and infectious disease specialists at St. Jude. It is available for download at the Together by St. Jude web-based resource.
A “St. Jude Coloring Book: COVID-19 Vaccines” answers questions about COVID-19 vaccines in words children can understand. “A COVID-19 vaccine uses the body’s immune system to fight the coronavirus,” the book reads. “Your immune system is like a team of superheroes that protect you from germs.” The book also uses simple pictures to show how the vaccine works to help your body make antibodies to fight the virus that causes COVID-19.
“The vaccine coloring book offers children the opportunity to learn more about the COVID -19 vaccine by coloring images of doctors, children, and the COVID-19 virus,” said Rachel Schmeizer, a child life specialist at St. Jude. “The illustrations in the book help to prepare children for the vaccination process and explains how the vaccine works to protect their bodies from COVID-19.”
Together by St. Jude published its first coloring book on COVID-19 in 2020. “Learning About the Coronavirus” helped children understand the virus and taught ways to stay healthy by keeping a distance, wearing a mask, and washing hands often. The coloring book was translated into 16 different languages and was downloaded more than 14,000 times in more than 150 countries and territories.
“Throughout the pandemic, parents have struggled through numerous difficult conversations with their children. We want to prepare our children for the significant changes in their daily lives and teach them how to stay safe, but how can we do this without scaring them?” said Niki Jurbergs, PhD., Jude Psychology Department. “We created these coloring books to prepare parents with the tools they need to introduce these new and potentially scary concepts in an age-appropriate way. Having a plan ahead of time, including talking points, can make parents feel more comfortable during this conversations.”
In addition to the two COVID-19 coloring books, Together by St. Jude has also released “Riley Takes a Medicine,” a coloring book that teaches children undergoing cancer treatment about the different types of drugs and the importance of medication compliance. All three coloring books are free to download.
The author and her daughter with Bert and Ernie at the Henry Ford Museum’s “Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited.” (Photo Courtesy of Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)
“I have news and you need to be sitting down” is how I told my daughter, a Muppet fan, that the Grand Rapids Art Museum would be bringing “Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited” to Grand Rapids next fall, with an opening date of Oct. 1, 2022.
This past summer, the two of us made the trek down to Detroit to see the exhibit at the Henry Ford Museum. This was after me stalking the dates for months to determine when I could get there.
Jim Henson (left) and company as Muppets. (Courtesy of Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)
“Hey maybe you’ll be able to get your t-shirt.” she said in response.
Yes, my daughter got her love for the Henson creations from me. I grew up on “Sesame Street” with Big Bird, Oscar the Grouch, Bert and Ernie, The Count, and of course, the lovable, iconic green frog named Kermit. She and her sister had a tickle-me “Elmo” that they would sit with as they watched the iconic television show. “Sesame Street” is where most of us discovered the Muppets, which is said to be a blend of the word marionette and puppet.
But by the time, Henson and “Sesame Street,” which debuted in 1969, came about, Henson had already made a name for himself, having created Rowlf for the “Jimmy Dean Show” (I never knew Rowlf was that old) and he received an Academy Award-nomination for his nine-minute experimental film “Time Piece.”
TV producer Joan Ganz Cooney and her staff at Children’s Television Workshop were impressed with Henson’s quality and creativity and asked him to be a part of the show. At first, Henson was not that interested because he was afraid of his Muppets being pigeon-holed for only children, but he eventually agreed. “Sesame Street” would help launch Henson into TV stardom.
But it was Miss Piggy, Gonzo the Great, Fozzie Bear, and Kermit along with the rest of “The Muppet Show” cast that would cement Henson, along with partner Frank Oz, into television history.
“The Muppet Show” ran from 1970 -1978 and produced several Muppet movies, the most famous and loved being the 1979 “The Muppet Movie.” I loved it so much, that I purchased the soundtrack on cassette tape and wore it down on the song “I Am Going to Go Back There Someday,” preformed by Gonzo. Today, it remains part of my regular playlist on my iPhone.
Henson would go on to create such cult classics as “The Dark Crystal” and “Labyrinth,” which starred David Bowie. Some also may remember “Fragile Rock” and the animated “Muppet Babies.” By 1990, Henson had sold his company to The Walt Disney Company and completed a few more projects for Disney before his untimely death in 1990.
Organized by the Museum of Moving Image, the upcoming exhibit explores how Henson and his team of designers, writers, technicians, and performers brought to life his many creations. It will feature more than 170 historical objects including iconic puppets, historic costumes, character sketches, storyboards, photographs, annotated scripts, film and television clips, and behind-the-scenes footage. The focus of it all is, of course, center’s on Henson’s ultimate goal, to spark the creativity in all of us.
“The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited” will be open through Jan. 15, 2023. Currently at the GRAM is “An Art of Changes: Jasper Johns Prints, 1960-2018.” and “An Interwoven Legacy: the Black Ash Basketry of Kelly Church and Cherish Parrish.” For more on current exhibits and activities at the Grand Rapids Art Museum, visit artmuseumgr.org.
The characters of Kira and Jen from Jim Henson’s “The Dark Crystal” at the recent Henry Ford Museum exhibit of Jim Henson’s work. (Courtesy of Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)
The David Bowie’s costume from the film “The Labyrinth.” (Courtesy of Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)
With Halloween now past, many see the holiday season upon us, and local vendors and crafters are gearing up to help holiday shoppers with their early shopping needs.
After widespread and disappointing cancellations in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, West Michigan crafters and vendors are excited to announce that they are bringing back their holiday craft shows this fall. And the month of November is filled with must-shop events that not only deliver handcrafted items, tasty treats, and unique gift ideas for local communities, but provide funds and support for many area school programs.
The Byron Center Fine Arts Boosters (BCFAB) are especially thankful to be able to host their annual craft show on Nov. 13 at Byron Center High School, as it is the largest fundraiser for their school’s fine arts programs. (For a extensive list of local craft and vendor fairs, see bottom of story.)
“All funds raised will go directly to support our students in the school district,” Kim Kohlhoff, president of Byron Center Fine Arts Boosters, said to WKTV.
All Byron Center public school fine arts programs, grades K-12, are impacted by the success of this fundraiser, Kohlhoff said, and the craft show fundraiser supplements the general budget given to each school to fund the main requirements of the fine arts programs.
The Byron Center Fine Arts Boosters’ annual craft show at Byron Center High School supports the schools fine arts programs including the jazz band. (Supplied)
“Funds raised through the annual craft show help support guest artists who come in from all over the nation to teach and perform with our students, as well as help with financial support for those students who take private lessons and attend fine arts camps,” Kohlhoff said.
The ability to provide financial support to students and give them the opportunity to perform with experienced musicians are only a small part in maintaining the Byron Center Fine Arts programs.
Life skills are also a central theme in the Byron Center Fine Arts objective — “Students learn to become a better person and grow as an individual,” said Kohlhoff.
Handcrafted items are always holiday gift worthy, as these from the Byron Center Fine Arts Boosters’ annual craft show at Byron Center High School. (Supplied, from previous year)
This year’s craft show boasts over 200 vendors and something new — food trucks. Instead of the usual concessions, several food trucks will offer a variety of food for shoppers. Stationed outside next to a protected sidewalk, food truck vendors will fill food orders that shoppers can then take into the school cafeteria to eat if desired.
“We have great community support,” Kohlhoff said of the craft show. “Vendor places are highly sought after and we have several veteran (returning) vendors who come every year, often calling the day after the show has ended to apply for a spot in the show for the following year.”
The Byron Center Fine Arts Boosters Craft Show will be held on Nov. 13 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Byron Center High School, 8500 Burlingame SW, and offers free parking. Admission fee is $3 at the door, with children 12 and under admitted for free.
Additional November craft and vendor events include:
The Byron Center Fine Arts Boosters’ annual craft show at Byron Center High School supports the schools fine arts programs including the jazz band. (Supplied)
As temperatures in Northern Michigan are cooling down, Paddle Antrim warns paddlers to take precautions to protect themselves from heightened dangers of sudden, unexpected cold water immersion while on late season paddling outings.
“Whenever paddlers are out on the water, they should dress with the assumption they may end up in the water,” said Paddle Antrim Executive Director Deana Jerdee. “With the cooler weather, water temperatures have dropped and therefore a wetsuit or a full immersion drysuit with insulating layers is necessary.”
Sudden immersion in cold water can cause gasping and inhalation of water resulting in drowning and time spent in cold water will cause your body to lose, resulting in unconsciousness, and/or swimming failure as muscles become numb. Wearing a life jacket may keep your head above water and support your body should your swimming ability fail or you become unconscious.
In 2020 the US Coast Guard reported 271 canoe/kayak injuries or deaths (2020 Recreational Boating Statistics, US Coast Guard) accidents and of all the casualties that resulted in deaths, 79% of those who died were not wearing a life jacket. Of the casualties that didn’t result in death, hypothermia was the leading cause of injury. “Death and injury in kayaks or canoes are almost completely avoidable if a properly fitting PFD and cold water gear is worn,” said Jerdee. “Paddling is like any other sport – you need to wear the proper gear and have the proper skills to safely participate, especially during the colder months when the lower water temperatures can be extremely dangerous.”
Should you ever find yourself in the water it is recommended that you stay with – and preferably on top of – your boat. Never overestimate your swimming ability. All too often people underestimate the distance to shore or the effects of cold water and unfortunately drown while attempting to make it to safety.
Paddle Antrim makes the following recommendations to paddlers heading out on the water:
Always wear a properly fitted life jacket. Simply stated, life jackets save lives;
Dress for the water temperature;
Avoid boating alone and always let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return. Have a cell phone or VHF radio accessible, in a watertight bag, should you need to call for help;
Carry essential safety gear, signaling devices and whistles; and
The City of Kentwood’s Trunk or Treat community event invited trick-or-treaters to don their costumes and come to the city’s Department of Public Works building Saturday, Oct. 23, where there were long lines of families and lots of kids in search of candy.
The free event went on for hours with hundreds of families waiting to take a stroll by city police, fire and public works vehicles, as well the of community groups — all with their vehicle’s trunks decorated and stationed inside the building handing out candy and other items.
WKTV was there, to capture some of the spooky happenings and cute costumes, and we asked a few of the trick-or-treaters “What’s their favorite candy?”
In addition to collecting candy, participants had the opportunity to vote for their favorite trunk. Children were encouraged to wear Halloween costumes and face coverings — and the kids did not disappoint, nor did many of their parents.
The City of Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department offered plenty of fun — and a few scares — for the community kids at the city’s Trunk or Treat event. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
The City of Kentwood offered dress-up opportunity for all ages at the city’s Trunk or Treat event. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
The City of Kentwood offered opportunity for dress-up for adults too at the city’s Trunk or Treat event. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
Kentwood Public Schools’ robotics program had a display at the City of Kentwood’s Trunk or Treat event. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
