Woodland Mall is kicking off the holiday season this month with charitable giving opportunities, photos with Santa, special shopping deals and other festive events for visitors.
Back by popular demand, the Giving Machine returns to inspire seasonal giving, joining family and pet photos with Santa, special shopping hours, local group performances and other events throughout the season of joy.
“The holiday season is about spending quality time with loved ones and lending a helping hand to those in need,” said Lisa Wolstromer, senior marketing director of Woodland Mall. “We invite the whole community to experience the season’s magic together through our holiday events and giving opportunities.”
Photos with Santa – Nov. 14 through Dec. 24
Santa makes his return to Woodland Mall to take photos with guests and listen to holiday wishes Nov. 14 through Christmas Eve. Online reservations are encouraged for the photo opportunity. Photo packages are available to purchase.
Beginning Nov. 17, visitors can bring their dogs, cats and other beloved pets for a photo with Santa on Mondays through Dec. 15. Family pet members of all kinds are welcome as long as they are kept on a leash, in a crate/carrier or held by the owner at all times. Pet owners must also sign a release prior to visiting Santa and are encouraged to book in advance online for pet photos.
Woodland Mall Photos with Santa. (Photo Courtesy, Woodland Mall)
Black Friday Deals – Nov. 28
Woodland Mall will be closed on Thanksgiving Day to enable retail employees to enjoy the holiday with their loved ones. The mall will reopen at 8 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28 so guests can get an early start to the traditional shopping weekend. Several seasonal stores will offer discounted gift items on Black Friday. Visit ShopWoodlandMall.com for a full list of in-store deals and retailer information.
Byron Center Choir Performance – Dec. 12
The Byron Center High School Choir will perform a variety of holiday-themed songs to bring joy to shoppers from 11 a.m. to noon in the Von Maur wing.
Byron Center Choir at Woodland Mall. (Photo Courtesy, Woodland Mall)
Artists Creating Together Performance – Dec. 8
Artists Creating Together will spread holiday cheer through different songs from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Von Maur Wing. The organization empowers individuals with disabilities to learn, grow and celebrate the arts.
Salvation Army Red Kettle Drive – Nov. 14 through Dec. 24
The iconic red kettles and volunteers will be stationed at the mall’s JCPenney entrance throughout the season. Additionally, there will be Salvation Army band pop-up performances. All donations will help support families in the community.
Salvation Army Angel Tree – Nov. 14 through Dec. 24
Visit the Salvation Army Angel Tree at the Center Court starting Nov. 14 to select a gift tag for a family in need. Community members are asked to purchase the gift and drop off the unwrapped present to the mall management office, near Yankee Candle, Monday-Friday between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Giving Machine – Dec. 10 through Jan. 3
The Giving Machine will be returning to the mall this holiday season as another creative way for the community to give back. Starting Dec. 10, this vending machine will allow shoppers to choose and purchase various donation items, including school supplies, household items, meals and clean water to global and local charities. The Giving Machine will be located in the Von Maur wing and will remain available until Jan. 3.
There will be Giving Machine performances throughout the holiday season, encouraging shoppers to explore the machine and purchase items to donate on it. Learn more about the Giving Machine and listen to stories about donation recipients on their website.
Holiday Hours
The mall will have extended hours to ensure guests can complete all their holiday shopping. Visit ShopWoodlandMall.com/hours for details. To avoid the crowds, Woodland Mall recommends shopping Monday through Thursday when the traffic is lighter. As a friendly reminder for visitors, please be patient and respectful to employees during the busy shopping season.
Thanksgiving – Closed
Black Friday – 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Christmas Eve – 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Christmas Day – Closed
Day after Christmas – 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
New Year’s Eve – 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
New Year’s Day – 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Job Opportunities
With the holiday season being a busy time for Woodland Mall, there are plenty of job opportunities available. Find seasonal, part-time and full-time job openings for a variety of stores at ShopWoodlandMall.com/jobs.
The number 49 has been the target number the last three weeks for the East Kentwood football team and reaching 49 points in Saturday’s 49-41 win against Howell delivered the Falcons their first district championship since 2014.
A week after beating Grand Ledge 49-15 in the Division 1 district opener and piling up 555 yards of total offense, the Kentwood offense produced 619 yards of total offense as it scored on every possession during the game except for one which ended in a missed field goal attempt.
With the win, the Falcons improved to 9-2 for the season and will play for the regional championship Saturday at Hudsonville at 1 p.m. The game will be a rematch of the Week 7 thriller at Hudsonville that the host Eagles won 43-42 with a touchdown as the clock expired.
The game against Howell may have lacked a dramatic ending, but the Falcons provided their many fans who made the long drive to Howell with plenty to cheer about.
East Kentwood quarterback Kayd Coffman had an impressive game completing 16-of-22 passes for 372 yards and five touchdowns and rushing for 96 yards on nine carries. (WKTV, Greg Chrapek)
Quarterback Kayd Coffman on fire
Any Michigan State football fans in attendance wanting to get a look at their quarterback recruit for next season, Falcon senior Kayd Coffman, were also treated to plenty of highlight-reel plays. Coffman finished the game completing 16-of-22 passes for 372 yards and five touchdowns. Coffman also showcased his running skills as he added 96 yards rushing on nine carries.
Ahman Edmonds caught 11 passes for 271 yards and 3 TDs
East Kentwood senior wide receiver Ahman Edmonds also gave college recruiters plenty of highlights to digest as he caught 11 passes for 271 yards and three touchdowns. Edmonds was a constant thorn in the side of the Howell defense with his ability to get open and pile up yards after the catch with his combination of speed, quickness and elusiveness.
Kentwood’s first touchdown, however, came from fellow senior wide receiver Owen Van Der Veen. That was when he capped a five-play, 80-yard touchdown drive by hauling in a Coffman pass from 30-yards out. Jayden Garcia tacked on the extra point to tie the game as Howell scored on its first possession.
Falcons get 3 TDs in around 4 minutes in second quarter
The game remained tied until midway through the second quarter when the Falcon offense erupted for three touchdowns in a span of just over four minutes.
The first of those three scores came with 4:13 remaining before halftime when senior running back Jesse Phillips ran in from three-yards out. The touchdown capped a six-play, 78-yard scoring drive that was highlighted by a 33-yard scamper by Coffman.
Howell tied the game at 14-14 as it marched 80 yards for a score in five plays.
The deadlock, however, was short lived as the Coffman to Edmonds combination began to cook on the next drive. After a seven-yard pass to Edmonds on first down, Coffman connected with his game-breaking wideout on a 73-yard scoring strike that put the Falcons up 21-14 with 1:30 remaining before halftime after Garcia’s point after.
On Howell’s next possession, the East Kentwood defense provided a game-breaking play, that was when junior defensive back Donavan Jones forced a fumble that was recovered by sophomore defensive back Austin Nelson at the Howell 43-yard line.
With 43 seconds remaining before halftime, the Falcons cashed that turnover into points. With time winding down in the half, Coffman scrambled and kept the play alive long enough to fire a strike from 16-yards out to Edmonds who had worked himself open in the corner of the end zone. Garcia added the extra point to send the Falcons into halftime with a 28-14 lead.
“We have a dynamic offense and an opportunistic defense,” said East Kentwood Coach Tyrone Spencer. “We have a lot of playmakers on offense who create a lot of opportunities.”
East Kentwood gained control of the game in the opening moments of the second half. Receiving the second-half kickoff, the Falcons needed just two plays to break the game open. On a second-and-three from their own 20-yard line, the Coffman to Edmonds combination struck for the third time. This time Coffman threw a perfect pass that hit Edmonds in stride. Edmonds then turned on the jets and raced 80 yards to the end zone staking the Falcons to a 35-14 lead.
Howell, however, refused to fold. The Highlanders, who entered the game with a 9-1 record, responded by driving 76 yards for a touchdown to cut the Falcon lead to 35-21 as quarterback Preston Barb tossed a four-yard touchdown pass to Christian Farren.
Kentwood regained the three-touchdown advantage on the next drive. The Falcons were a little more methodical on the next scoring drive going 80 yards in 10 plays with Coffman hitting junior wide receiver Bryce Barnes with a 36-yard touchdown pass to put the Falcons up 42-21 with 2:24 remaining in the third.
Howell came right back on its next possession to cut the margin to 42-28. The Highlanders again scored via the pass as Barb tossed a 54-yard touchdown pass to Bryce Kish.
The points kept piling up as the game entered the final quarter. Kentwood’s final touchdown of the game came at the 10:55 mark of the fourth. The Falcons went deep into the playbook for the final score. Coffman dropped back to pass and threw a backwards pass to running back Davien “Bam” Nettleman, who then showcased his arm by lofting a pass to Stephan Jones who raced in for a 30-yard touchdown. Garcia tacked on the point after giving the Falcons a 49-28 lead.
Howell, came back again, as the Highlanders drove 80 yards for a touchdown in 14 plays on their next possession as they utilized their ground game. Howell then recovered an onside kick with just over five minutes remaining in the game. Seven plays later the Highlanders scored again to make the score 49-41 with 4:09 remaining in the game and make things interesting. The Highlanders attempted another onside kick, but this time the Falcons recovered. The East Kentwood ground game then ground out three first downs to chew up the final time remaining on the clock and earn a trip to the state quarterfinals for the first time since the 2014 team reached the state semifinals.
“This is a special group of seniors,” Spencer said. “They are very resilient. As freshmen they won just one game and on the junior varsity they did not have a win. Now, they are 9-2 and headed to the regional finals. The character they have shown this year is special. We’ve been through this before in tight situations. To be able to get it done is awesome. It’s like the perfect ending to the chapter.”
Along with Edmonds, who finished with 271 receiving yards, Stephan Jones added two catches for 40 yards and a touchdown. Jesse Phillips rushed the ball 10 times for 83 yards and a score. Nettleman ran for 21 yards on six carries along with throwing the 30-yard touchdown pass.
East Kentwood junior defensive back Donavan Jones had eight tackles and five assists, while senior linebacker Malachi Daly had eight tackles and three assists.. (WKTV, Greg Chrapek)
On defense, the Falcons swarmed to the football as junior defensive back Donavan Jones had eight tackles and five assists, while senior linebacker Malachi Daly had eight tackles and three assists. Junior defensive back Major Barnes had four tackles and five assists, followed by senior defensive back Jaziel Negron, four tackles; junior linebacker Alijah Bondon, three tackles and four assists; senior defensive tackle James Jones. three tackles and two assists; junior defensive back Dallas Moody, two tackles and three assists and junior linebacker Christopher Thompson II; two tackles and three assists.
The City of Wyoming invites veterans and community members to attend its annual Veterans Breakfast at 9 a.m. at the Wyoming Senior Center (2380 DeHoop Ave SW).
Veterans are welcome to attend at no charge as a thank you for their service. All other guests are welcome with a $10 registration. The event includes a hot breakfast, guest speaker Doug Boomer, and a ceremony presented by the Wyoming Police Honor Guard.
Grand Valley State University Veterans Day Luncheon – 12 p.m.-1:30 p.m.
Location: Robert C. Pew Grand Rapids Campus
GVSU’s Office of the President and Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies invite you to come together to honor the service and sacrifice of West Michigan and Laker veterans past and present. This year’s program explores the theme “Why I Served,” highlighting personal motivations and experiences that inspire service and leadership.
Ingrid Tighe, President of the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center and a U.S. Army veteran, will share reflections on her path of service and her continued leadership in Michigan’s business community. The program will conclude with a panel featuring veterans who will share their reflections on their service.
Grand Rapids Veterans Day Parade– 6 p.m.
All veterans are invited to walk with the United Veterans Council. Line up at the corner of Lyon and Ottawa. The parade begins at 6 p.m. with a ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park following.
Field of Flags – AnchorPoint Christian School
AnchorPoint Christian School students will set up a field of American flags in partnership with Disabled American Veterans (DAV) to honor local veterans and raise critical funds to support our nation’s ill and injured heroes.
Each donated flag represents a special veteran in someone’s life, with proceeds benefiting DAV and the charity’s free, professional services for veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors.
The flags will be displayed at AnchorPoint Christian School on Nov. 11.
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
Free admission for veterans on Veterans Day, Nov. 11.
Throughout her career, Brittany Rickert has explored nursing jobs in various settings but keeps getting drawn back to hospice. For her, there is little else that offers such a unique and rewarding experience.
“There are landmarks throughout our lives, and death is one of them,” says Rickert, a nurse of 15 years. “It is very special to be allowed into that sacred space with patients and their loved ones, to support them through such a pivotal portion of their life.”
Rickert finds caring for the elderly to be extremely rewarding (Courtesy, Emmanuel Hospice)
As a registered nurse case manager with Emmanuel Hospice, Rickert is in a diverse role that requires her to use both clinical and emotional support skills to walk alongside patients on their end-of-life journey.
She defines her position as the “coordinator of the patient experience altogether,” working alongside an interdisciplinary team to bring supportive services directly to patients, wherever they call home.
“My goal is to make sure each patient’s quality of life is at its best and that patients are getting everything they could possibly want from hospice care to live fully and comfortably,” Rickert says, noting she will involve social workers, spiritual caregivers, music therapists and more, depending on a patient’s goals and needs.
“I want each patient to feel completely cared for and for the family to know they’re in good hands.”
Empowering patients
As Rickert guides patients through their options, she empowers them to make informed decisions about their care. Patients select which services are important to them. Alongside traditional medical care options, Rickert likes to highlight the complementary therapies and services available, including massage therapy, pet visitors, essential oils and more.
“People are often surprised to learn about our additional therapies as not every hospice offers them,” Rickert says. “Patient wishes are another example that can be very meaningful and connect with our goal of making hospice more about living. Just this past month, I have been working on a wish to get a family out to an MSU basketball game for a huge Spartan fan in our care.”
“We’ve got you.”
Another key point Rickert emphasizes with families: The care team is available 24/7 to answer questions and dispatch care as needed.
“Just because I’m not scheduled to come back until next week for a regular visit does not mean I, or another member of the care team, can’t check in sooner,” she says. “I reassure families our light is always on. We’ve got you.”
Direct patient care
Rickert check the vitals of Barbara, an Emmanuel Hospice patient (Courtesy, Emmanuel Hospice)
Rickert enjoys being “out in the field” regularly and providing direct patient care herself. Because hospice is a service, not a place, she is caring for patients wherever they are all throughout much of West Michigan.
That distinction is particularly relevant this time of year as Emmanuel Hospice celebrates National Care at Home Month and the role of hospice in the spectrum of in-home care.
During a typical patient visit, Rickert checks vitals and does a head-to-toe assessment, zeroing in on common symptoms that can occur as the end of life approaches. She manages medications and takes stock of supplies and other equipment to help patients remain comfortable in their home.
Providing emotional support is intertwined with the clinical side of Rickert’s role. As a main point of contact for patients and their loved ones, it is critical she helps them navigate unchartered waters with empathy and respect. Rickert aims to be a reassuring presence to everyone involved.
Holiday gatherings can become more of a reality check than joyful reunions as relatives notice health and safety concerns in aging loved ones for the first time.
“People often rely on phone calls or texts to check on older loved ones throughout the year,” says Paula Lett, Social Services Manager for Care Resources, a Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly. “But without those regular in-person visits, signs that indicate a need for assistance can go unnoticed for months.”
Holiday wake-up calls
Spending time with loved ones on a regular basis can help family identify opportunities for support sooner (Courtesy, pxhere.com)
Throughout much of her career, Lett has been on the frontlines of the post-holiday influx of people seeking senior care. Her colleague, Eric Millar, can also attest to the surge in inquiries.
“It can be a shock to the system for family members who haven’t been around all year to notice their older loved one has been struggling,” Millar says, noting that these holiday wake-up calls underscore the importance of more regular check-ins.
“Don’t wait until the holidays to face these issues,” Millar advocates. “Get into the holiday spirit of visiting loved ones year-round by carving out a couple of hours each month to go into mom or dad’s home. You don’t have to cook or clean. Just spend time together. It will mean more to them than you realize and also help you identify opportunities for support sooner.”
Looking for clues
Whenever visiting an aging loved one, Lett and Millar encourage families to take note of the state of the home. Are there piles of mail or trash? An overflowing kitchen sink or laundry hamper?
Monitoring for changes in physical health, personal hygiene and mood is also important.
“You might notice they’ve lost weight, appear disheveled or are wearing dirty clothes,” Millar explains. “Maybe they’re increasingly forgetful, irritable or confused.”
After identifying such signs, Lett cautions against falling into the assumption that nursing home placement is the only solution, especially when “there is so much help available through programs such as PACE to keep seniors living safely in their own homes.”
Conversation tips
Focus conversation around resources that can give more independence rather than take it away (Courtesy, Adobe Stock)
However, broaching the subject with an aging loved one requires great care. Millar recommends having the person they trust most talk one-on-one, rather than a group intervention. Focus the conversation around resources that can give more independence rather than take it away.
“Seek to understand the specific areas where they could benefit from assistance so they can continue living the life they want to live,” he says. “You can be firm about the fact that you’re going to help, but encourage them to choose where they want the help.”
Lett adds it can help to explain that the goal is to maintain their ability to remain in their own home and in control as much as possible while enhancing their health and safety.
“No one wants to be a burden on anyone else, so it can be difficult to accept help,” Lett explains. “Be sure to treat them as a person, not an object that is a liability to themselves. Reassure them that getting support doesn’t mean they can’t still be self-reliant. There are options to help meet their needs while maintaining their dignity and autonomy.”
Learn more
Lett says families don’t have to “start from scratch” to find resources and build a care plan tailored to their loved one’s needs. For information about services that help older adults stay healthy and live independently in the community, call 800.610.6299 or visit CareResources.org.
WKTV footage from a Godwin Heights/South Christian football game in 2018 featuring Marshawn Kneeland at a WKTV Game of the Week. (WKTV)
By Greg Chrapek WKTV Contributor and Cris Greer WKTV Managing Editor/Sports Director
Former Godwin Heights football standout and Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland died Thursday morning from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to law authorities in Texas.
In his second season with the Cowboys, Kneeland recently scored his first NFL touchdown during a Monday Night Football loss when recovering a blocked punt in the end zone. After graduating from Godwin Heights, Kneeland played football at Western Michigan University and was the Cowboys second round pick in the 2024 NFL draft.
“Kneeland’s Senior year was a highlight reel with 110 tackles, including eight quarterback sacks on the defensive side, but also 20 catches for 330 yards and five touchdowns on the offensive side as a tight end,” said Game of the Week Sports Announcer Mike Moll, who has spent decades covering local high school sports for WKTV. (See below for more details about Kneeland’s local and NFL football career.)
“WKTV and Godwin Heights have had a very long running relationship bringing high school sports to West Michigan,” Moll explained. “The school’s cooperation in not only allowing us onto the campus, but getting us requested information for a broadcast is always nearly immediate. Not only does the administration know and appreciate the coverage, but the community does also.”
Godwin Heights helmet. (WKTV)
In a Press Release from Godwin Heights Public Schools, Superintendent Chad Conklin, states,“We are deeply saddened to share the news that Marshawn Kneeland has passed away. Marshawn was a remarkable individual, a gifted athlete, an exceptional student, a dedicated teammate, and a valued member of the Godwin Heights community. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to his family, his friends, and all who were impacted by his life.
“Marshawn’s passion for the game, his commitment to learning, his work ethic, and his warmth off the field left a lasting impression on all of us. He embodied qualities of determination, character, and kindness that we will always honor. Although his time with us was much too short, his spirit and accomplishments will continue to leave a lasting legacy.”
A Press Release from the Frisco (Texas) Police Department from Thursday, stated:
Frisco Police investigate a possible suicide
A man was found deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound following an outside agency vehicle pursuit that led to a multi-agency search in Frisco, Texas.
On Nov. 5, at approximately 10:39 p.m., the Frisco Police Department responded to assist the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) with locating a vehicle that had evaded troopers during a pursuit that entered the city of Frisco. After losing visual of the vehicle, troopers located it minutes later, crashed on southbound Dallas Parkway near Warren Parkway.
Initial reports indicated that a male subject, later identified as 24-year-old Marshawn Kneeland of Plano, TX, fled the scene on foot. Officers established a perimeter and initiated a search of the area with the assistance of the FPD K-9 and Drone units.
During the course of the search, officers received information that Kneeland had expressed suicidal ideations. Kneeland was later located at 1:31 a.m., deceased with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The cause/manner of death will be determined by the Collin County Medical Examiner’s Office.
At this time, no further details will be released as the investigation remains ongoing.
Standout career at Godwin Heights
Kneeland played his senior season in 2018 for first-year Godwin Heights coach Brandon Kimble. That Godwin Heights team turned in a 6-3 record, and not counting the Covid year of 2020 when every team qualified for the state playoffs, was the last Godwin Heights team to qualify for the playoffs until this year’s team qualified.
Kneeland was a standout on both sides of the line for the Wolverines and Coach Kimble as the Wolverines turned in a winning season.
Kneeland was named first-team, all-state as a senior after earning honorable-mention, all-state honors as a junior. Kneeland was a two-time, all-conference and all-area player and a team captain. Kneeland concluded his career at Godwin Heights with career records for tackles, tackles for loss and sacks.
He also was a standout on the Godwin Heights track and field team. Kneeland was a regional champion in the 400-meter run and was an all-conference high jumper. Kneeland also was a standout in the classroom and was a member of the honor roll.
After his career at Godwin Heights, Kneeland went on to play college football at Western Michigan University. Kneeland played for the Broncos from 2019 to 2023. In 2023 Kneeland earned second-team, All-Mid-American Conference honors as he totaled a career-high 57 tackles along with 4.5 sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss. For his career, Kneeland totaled 149 tackles and 12.5 sacks.
Following the 2023 season Kneeland attended the National Football League pre-draft combine in Indianapolis where he posted impressive numbers that moved up the draft boards of NFL team.
Kneeland was eventually selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. In his rookie season of 2024 with the Cowboys Kneeland appeared in 11 games and totaled 14 tackles. This season Kneeland took on an expanded role with the Cowboys. In seven games, including three starts, Kneeland has accumulated 12 tackles and one quarterback sack.
The Dallas Cowboys organization issued this statement Thursday morning:
“It is with extreme sadness that the Dallas Cowboys share that Marshawn Kneeland tragically passed away this morning. Marshawn was a beloved teammate and member of our organization. Our thoughts and prayers regarding Marshawn are with his girlfriend Catalina and his family.”
The Kentwood Police Department has made an arrest in a sexual assault case involving a physical therapist at Corewell Health. The alleged assaults occurred at a local Corewell Health Facility between Jan. 1 through April 1. The victim, a female from the City of Grand Rapids, was seeing her physical therapist for routine scheduled treatments when the alleged assaults occurred.
Mark Scarlato, a former Certified Manual Physical Therapist at Corewell Health, has been charged with 3 counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct in the Third Degree, and one count of Criminal Sexual Conduct in the Fourth Degree.
Corewell received a complaint from a third-party individual on behalf of the victim and promptly reported the complaint to Kentwood Police on Oct. 10.
Even though charges have been filed, investigators are asking anyone with any additional information about this case to contact the Kentwood Police Department Detective Bureau at 616-656-6600.
“Due to the nature of this case, there may be other potential victims, and it is our experience that victims of such trauma will, on occasion, delay in reporting these types of crimes,” Detective Sarah Schudel stated. “We understand it can be extremely difficult to come forward. We are hoping that anyone who has knowledge about this offense or similar offenses reaches out to us.”
Corewell Health has willingly and proactively participated in this investigation.
Mark Scarlato is in custody at Kent County Jail on a $500,000 bond.
Anyone who is struggling with sexual assault can reach out anonymously to Silent Observer at 616-774-2345.
Marine Corps veteran Eric Winters and his son James are not only Sons of the American Revolution, but also belong to the American Rosie the Riveter Association. (Photo Courtesy, Eric Winters)
Marine Corps veteran Eric Winters discovered later in life some very unique connections to his ancestors.
Winters, who served in the Marine Corps for eight years as a helicopter airframes mechanic, learned that his great grandmother Mattie Lois Hopper worked for the Ford Motor Company in 1942 as an aircraft mechanic in the Willow Run Michigan plant, a real life “Rosie the Riveter.”
Mattie Lois Hopper, Marine Corps veteran Eric Winters’ great grandmother, is a real-life Rosie the Riveter. (Courtesy, Eric Winters)
“As a kid, I was too young and ignorant to understand the impact of my family history,” said Winters, who was 17 years old when he joined the Marines. “After being involved with Grandpa Thomas Joseph Lannon and the Sons of the American Revolution I learned and took it to heart about how ironic it was when I joined the Marine Corps and became an aircraft mechanic. My great grandma did the same thing; we both were riveters just 60 years apart.
“I did have the privilege and honor to meet and know my great grandma, but she died before I became a Marine and an aircraft mechanic, so my grandma had to connect those dots for me. It is my intention to have my son James added as a rivet descendant under the American Rosie the Riveter.”
Female descendants of a Rosie are considered Rosebuds, whereas the male descendants are Rivets.
Sons of the American Revolution
“I remember in October 2015, I was stationed in Cyprus standing on a hillside overlooking the sunset fading over the Mediterranean Sea when my grandpa told me of his cancer diagnosis,” Winters recalled. “To keep grandpa busy while battling with his health, he became involved heavily with family history and genealogy. My grandpa traced our family ancestors back to a Reuben Clark who served in the American Revolutionary War.
Eric Winters and his Grandpa Thomas Joseph Lannon are Sons of the American Revolution. (Photo Courtesy, Eric Winters)
“Once grandpa was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution it was an easy application for myself to become a member as I only needed to link my mom to my grandpa. I am a proud papa to my son James, and I have gotten him enrolled as a member of the SAR. This makes James the 11th generation patriot ancestor descendant of the American Revolution.”
“At 10 months old, James is too young to understand this significance, but it is my hope that as he grows older I will explain to him his family history and this is a connection to his great grandfather who luckily is still around.”
After his many years of military service and also working for the U.S. Department of Defense and Department of State handling government contracts, Winters’ life has taken a turn toward helping his fellow veterans navigate through life.
“This part of my life has shaped me and my life path in many ways,” Winters explained. “Serving in the Marine Corps enhanced my leadership skills and understanding of the complexity of human factors and interpersonal relationships. This time also showcased how complexity can lead to success. It became apparent that further education was necessary for future success in life.”
Marine Corps vet Eric Winters’ Sons of the American Revolution certificate.
“Embracing the negative to appreciate the positive”
“I, for one, know I have experienced feelings of sadness, loneliness, anxiety, depression, a loss of self-worth and purpose,” continued Winters, who also volunteers for Special Olympics and helps fundraise for the AMBUCS organization for those with physical disabilities.
“I also know that I have experienced kindness, compassion, empathy, generosity, love and magic. These are the things that keep me going. We must embrace the negative to appreciate the positive blessings in our life. They are a part of our Marine core values of honor, courage and commitment.”
Winters, who has an undergraduate degree in Professional Aeronautics, moved his educational objectives toward psychology, obtaining a Master’s of Science in Leadership from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, and concurrently getting a certification in Human Happiness and Well-Being from Yale via Coursera.
“Deeply involved in helping vets with PTSD”
“I became deeply involved in a support group for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD),” Winters continued. “The program was geared toward recovery, but most of the participants were only granted a limited amount of time before the VA wouldn’t allow them to participate further. I then volunteered to continue running the program for those who still wanted to participate, but had already used their time up. The psychologist who originally ran the program gave me her materials and I’ve been running it since June of 2019.”
Winters said this helped shift his focus toward helping others who were struggling with their daily lives and the effects of this disorder.
Enter his nonprofit organization, VETS
“Going to work one morning I was in a terrible car crash where a commercial truck caused a chain reaction multi-vehicle accident where five vehicles were rear-ended,” Winters explained. “As a result, being in the middle vehicle of this accident, I had a long recovery process going through months into a years’ worth of treatments.”
Winters said the rehabilitation included speech, occupational and physical therapy along with eight surgeries.
“That experience changed my career path,” he continued. “With all the pain I felt and the new physical limitations, I needed to create my own job and a new sense of purpose, basically, unless I could find a new job, one that could accommodate my needs.”
It was during his recovery that he became involved in helping other veterans with their issues.
“The problem was it was taxing on both my time and finances since both were extremely limited. Surfing the internet on how to help my situation it became apparent I had to start a nonprofit to help not only myself, but also my military brothers/sisters. That is what I do now. I am out there advocating for our military community however we can, but with a primary focus on mental health and camaraderie.”
Long-term goals with VETS
“My long-term goal for VETS is to continue to build an organization that emboldens servant leadership, sets a positive example and one that we too don’t live in vain,” Winters explained. “For now, I just want to stay humble and kind, and as my grandfather would say, “Take each day and give it your best shot.”
It was his grandfather who shared with him General Douglas MacArthur’s famous Prayer for his Son:
“Build me a son, O Lord, who will be strong enough to know when he is weak, and brave enough to face himself when he is afraid; one who will be proud and unbending in honest defeat, and humble and gentle in victory.
“Build me a son whose wishes will not take the place of deeds; a son who will know Thee—and that to know himself is the foundation-stone of knowledge.
“Lead him, I pray, not in the path of ease and comfort, but under the stress and spur of difficulties and challenge. Here let him learn to stand up in the storm; here let him learn compassion for those who fail.”
“Build me a son whose heart will be clean, whose goal will be high, a son who will master himself before he seeks to master other men, one who will reach into the future, yet never forget the past.”
“And after all these things are his, give him, I pray, enough of a sense of humor, so that he may always be serious, yet never take himself too seriously. Give him humility, so that he may always remember the simplicity of true greatness, the open mind of true wisdom, and the meekness of true strength.”
“Then I, his father, will dare to whisper, ‘I have not lived in vain.’”
Suicide Statistics
According to the latest statistics on the VA News website (2022), 17.6 veterans commit suicide each day, which totals 6,407 per year.
“These deaths are not attributable to the Taliban, Al-Qaeda, Viet-Cong or any other enemy,” Winters said. “Their deaths are a direct reflection on our collective inability to do our buddy checks. They are a reflection on our failure to give our safety briefing, to monitor/mentor ourselves and our peers. It is a reflection on us as leaders.
“Becoming a Marine is a lifelong badge of honor — one earned through dedication, sacrifice and pride. Marines are not only members of the world’s most elite fighting force, but also part of a greater community that continues to serve and uplift others long after active duty ends.”
Marine Corps Birthday Ball This year marks the 250th birthday of the United States Marine Corps and what better way to highlight the milestone with a celebration, said Winters, who is organizing the event. The goal of Winters and VETS is to fundraise and support the Marines while honoring past and present service members and their families. They are partnering with Creative Community Entertainment (CCE) to host the event.
“I had a sudden epiphany,” Winters said. “Milestone life events bring parties, and parties bring people and awareness. It just so happened that Marines around the world would be celebrating their birthday, so let’s host the next Marine Corps birthday ball.”
The First Annual City of Grand Rapids Marine Corps Birthday Ball will be held on Monday, Nov. 10, at the DeVos Place, 303 Monroe Ave. NW Grand Rapids. That marks the exact date the Marine Corps was founded 250 years ago; Nov. 10, 1775, in Philadelphia by Commandant Samuel Nicholas.
The Marines were the third branch of the US Armed Forces, arriving five months after the Army and one month after the Navy. Today, the Marine Corps is a component of the U.S. Department of the Navy, with nearly 200,000 active and reserve personnel.
The Skinny The event, slated from 5 to 9:30 p.m., begins with a cocktail and social hour, followed by an official ceremony at 6 p.m., dinner at 7 and dancing at 8 p.m.
Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley was elected to serve a fourth term after defeating challenger Monica Sparks.
Unofficial results show that Mayor Kepley received 4,857 votes (53.21%), compared to Sparks’ 4,264 (46.71%).
Mayor Kepley has served the citizens of Kentwood as Mayor and Head Administrator since 2013. He also has served as Director of Engineering and Inspections/City Engineer for 11 years, along with an additional 15 years in the private manufacturing design and construction sector.
Sparks is in her fourth term as a Kent County Commissioner serving District 12 (parts of Wyoming and Kentwood).
Kentwood Mayoral Candidate Monica Sparks (WKTV We the People)
Kentwood City Clerk
Ana Jose received 4,322 votes (51.125) in the Kentwood City Clerk race to defeat Cameron Duffey, who received 4,110 (48.61%).
Kentwood City Treasurer
Running unopposed, Laurie Sheldon earned another term as Kentwood City Treasurer by receiving 7,353 votes (99.18%), while write-ins received 61 votes.
The Literacy Champion Award will go to one individual and one organization who has demonstrated leadership and exceptional achievement in advancing reading (Courtesy, KDL)
Kent District Library is accepting nominations for the fourth annual Literacy Champion Award for outstanding leadership and advocacy of literacy. The award will go to one individual and one organization who does, or has done, something exceptional to promote literacy.
Nominations are open through Feb. 28, 2026 and may be submitted online at kdl.org/literacychampion. Winners will receive $1,000, a crystal trophy and public recognition.
“We’re proud to recognize those making a real difference in our community through literacy,” said Lance Werner, Executive Director of Kent District Library. “The Literacy Champion Award is our way of celebrating the individuals who are opening doors and changing lives through the power of reading.”
KDL Outreach and Programming Specialist Susan Erhardt reads to children (Courtesy, KDL)
Nomination details
Winners will be announced next spring, celebrating one individual and one organization who has demonstrated leadership and exceptional achievement in advancing reading. Three finalists in each category will also be chosen.
Nominees for individuals can be teachers, tutors, school librarians, authors and others. Organizations can be schools, non-profit services, for-profit businesses and government entities.
Nominations will be reviewed by a panel from Kent District Library and its Board of Trustees.
150+ people attended the annual iCI Nation Gala to celebrate local protectors while supporting the mission to unite citizens, police officers and organizational resources to create a stronger and healthier city (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Over 150 local community members recently attended the annual iCI Nation Gala at Venue3Two in Kentwood to celebrate local protectors while supporting the nonprofit’s mission to unite citizens, police officers and organizational resources to create a stronger and healthier city.
In attendance were police officers from seven local departments, city officials from four cities, pastors, probationary youth and business owners. Jennifer Franson, iCI Nation Founder and Executive Director, personally welcomed Gala attendees, thanking them for choosing to invest in a vision of connection over conflict.
“[iCI Nation is] teaching people to see the world and the community through a lens of value,” said Franson. “We’ve created a greenhouse of relationships. We have these relationships and trust, now we’re trying to feed what we want to see grow, and we’re using value to do it.”
iCI Nation is teaching people to see the world through a lens of value (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Strengthened from the inside out
Clarkston Morgan, Kentwood City Commissioner and CEO of Ambassador Consultants LLC, delivered opening and closing remarks at the Gala, stating that iCI Nation and the partnerships formed through the nonprofit are “a family of people who are intentionally choosing unity over division, connection over fear, and faith over frustration.”
iCI Nation has worked to build bridges and facilitate relationships within the community for the last decade. Within the past five years alone, iCI Nation has partnered with 79 local nonprofits, churches and businesses; built bridges with 17 police agencies; and served over 600 officers and community leaders each year.
All police officers in attendance were recognized and thanked at the Gala (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
“That’s not charity, that’s impact,” said Morgan. “That’s a city being strengthened from the inside out.”
Morgan went on to say that iCI Nation is changing the culture of how we see one another – but that iCI Nation’s work is not done in isolation.
“Everything happens through partnership,” said Morgan. “…when we pull in the same direction, all in our city thrive, everyone wins, no one is forgotten.”
An agenda of unity
Jennifer Franson, Founder of iCI Nation (Courtesy, iCI Nation)
Though Franson does not have a personal family connection to law enforcement, she has always been aware of the officers who put their lives on the line each day to keep our community safe.
For years, Franson prayed for police officers whenever she heard sirens. She eventually hosted a “Thank You” event for law enforcement in collaboration with a women’s church group. That church event became an annual occurrence, increasing from the original 13 officers to an average of 65 officers each year.
Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Winstrom was the Gala keynote speaker (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Now, iCI Nation hosts monthly events for the community and police, including prayer gatherings for the faith community, presentations and lunch and learns. The organization also builds collaborations through various local organizations and events such as the national Faith & Blue campaign.
“These are real connections,” said Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Winstrom. “Jenn’s agenda literally is unity. It’s unifying us for a more peaceful community.”
iCI Nation was not built on a five-point business plan or a grant proposal, Franson told Gala attendees.
“It was built on relationships and trust and the belief that if we keep feeding those relationships and trust, good things will grow.”
Community, unity and purpose in action
The annual iCI Nation Gala is one of Franson’s favorite times of the year because it is a night of purpose in action.
Franson talks to Gala attendees about the mission of iCI Nation (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
“I spend all year meeting you, hearing your stories, trying to tell your stories,” Franson said. “But tonight we get to hear the stories and meet the faces together – and you are beautiful!”
Two such stories were told through a Gala presentation of the 2025 iCI Nation Protector awards.
Wyoming Police Sergeant Jack Tromp received the iCI Nation Officer Protector Award for “going beyond duty to recognize and call out the value of our youth, proving his commitment goes beyond just law enforcement.”
Wyoming Police Sgt. Jack Tromp (left) talks about what serving the community means to him (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Sgt. Tromp said the award meant a lot to him because of what it represents.
“Building trust and strong relationships between law enforcement and the community has always been a part of what this job is about,” said Tromp. “Over the years, I’ve learned that real change doesn’t come from the badge alone; it comes from showing the person behind it.
“Meeting people where they are, being willing to listen, and seeing things through new perspectives – that’s how we build trust and break down barriers. iCI Nation has done an amazing job helping to build and strengthen those connections.”
Frank Briones, Kent County Juvenile Service Program Director, received the iCI Nation Civilian Protector Award for “his fearless perseverance in bringing healing to our community youth and building stronger police and community collaboration.”
Frank Briones (second from left) and Jenn Franson (third from left) with local youth (Courtesy, iCI Nation)
“I’m on a mission to help our kids, to help our youth, and make sure that I do everything in my power to make sure they succeed,” said Briones. “They are our future.”
The Gala also featured an invocation by 2023 Civilian Protector Award winner Pastor Gregory Amunga of Uptown Assembly of God, a statement honoring Gala police officers, a statement of value to local youth in attendance and a silent auction.
A greenhouse of trust
“Over the years we have grown, and we are building something powerful: relationships rooted in trust that shine a light on the worth of every single person in our city,” said Franson. “Like a greenhouse nurturing life, these connections are growing a culture of belonging and shared resources.
(Courtesy photo)
“This is how we’re rebranding our cities – not with slogans, but with trust and human connection.”
That greenhouse of trust and connection is creating a stronger and healthier city.
“When you invest in iCI Nation, you’re investing in a safer, stronger and more connected Grand Rapids region…a community rooted in trust, service, and love,” said Morgan. “Because that’s what iCI Nation is about.”
Learn more about iCI Nation and how you can help in the organizations’ mission to create stronger and more unified communities here.
iCI Nation Gala Sponsors:
CWD Real Estate Investment, Jerry and Linda Lind, Karen and Dwight Strayer, Grand Rapids Police Department, DLS Servicing, Consider: LLC, KeyBank, Siegel Jewelers, Marge’s Donut Den, Acts Gospel Outreach Ministry, Grand Rapids Police Foundation, Boldly Told Video & Photography, Barbara Jean VanStee, Doug Clarke, Tommy Brann and Denis Bennett.
By Cris Greer WKTV Managing Editor/Sports Director greer@wktv.org
Check out the new and exciting football clips above from our latest Friday Night Highlights show.
Just like basketball season, every week we’ll bring you much of the local high school football home stadium action from the local varsity teams, highlight some top performers and their stats, give final scores, and show a snapshot of the latest conference standings in an exciting Friday Night Highlights show.
Look for our fast-paced local highlights show every Monday night! Thanks for tuning in.
WKTV Game of the Week
Year after year, our high-tech WKTV Truck Game of the Week includes two play-by-play announcers, an occasional field announcer and various camera angles with slow motion replays to capture all those great plays for your viewing pleasure.
You can count on our very experienced, exciting game announcers for both football and basketball to guide you through your local team’s games. If you are interested in volunteering at WKTV Sports for our Truck or Studio productions, please email me at greer@wktv.org
Game of the Week airs every Friday night on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 & AT&T U-Verse Channel 99 at 11 p.m. with a rebroadcast on Saturday at 11 a.m. You also can watch these games on our WKTV YouTube Channel.
One person is in custody and stolen money has been recovered after a bank robbery the morning of Nov. 3 at PNC Bank in the 200 block of 28th Street SW (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
One person is in custody and stolen money has been recovered after a bank robbery this morning at PNC Bank in the 200 block of 28th Street SW.
Incident details
At approximately 10:53 a.m. on Nov. 3, officers from the Wyoming Police Department responded to the PNC, located at 220 28th Street SW, on the report of a bank robbery that had just occurred.
A suspect entered the bank, approached a teller, and demanded money. He implied he had a weapon. An undisclosed amount of cash was obtained by the suspect who then left the bank on foot. A few Grand Rapids Police Officers were in the area on an unrelated matter and observed a person matching the suspect’s description near 28th Street and Buchanan Avenue SW.
When Wyoming Police arrived, the 34-year-old suspect was taken into custody, and proceeds of the robbery were located in his possession. He was subsequently lodged at the Kent County Jail. The suspect’s identity is not being released pending arraignment.
Continuing investigation
Wyoming Police are grateful that no one was injured during this incident and appreciate the assistance of the Grand Rapids Police in helping locate the suspect in this robbery within minutes. Wyoming Police Detectives and the FBI will continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding this robbery.
Anyone with any information regarding this incident is asked to contact Wyoming Police Detectives at 616-530-7300 or Silent Observer at 616-774-2345; 1-866-774-2345; or https://www.silentobserver.org.
East Kentwood quarterback Kayd Coffman completed 14-of-21 passes for 209 yards and four touchdowns, and also had 69 yards on the ground in 11 attempts. (Photo Courtesy, Falcon News Network)
East Kentwood was firing on all cylinders Friday in its Division 1 playoff opener against Grand Ledge. The Falcons produced a whopping 555 yards of total offense as it defeated the visiting Comets 49-15. With the win, they advanced to the district finals against host Howell to face the 9-1 Highlanders at 1 p.m. Saturday afternoon.
Offense has been a strong point for East Kentwood all season and the outburst against Grand Ledge was one of the most productive efforts. The 49 points equaled the Falcons effort in a Week 9 win over Grand Haven and was just five points off the season-high 54 points they scored against Jenison in Week 3. The effort was even more impressive considering Grand Ledge entered the game with a 7-2 record.
“We played a lot cleaner game that we did the week before which I was hoping for,” said East Kentwood Coach Tyrone Spencer. “I thought we ran the ball really well. We had over 345 yards rushing and defensively we had four takeaways. I thought we played pretty good complementary football.”
East Kentwood helmet. (Photo Courtesy, Eli Reed)
East Kentwood led 28-0 at the half
The Falcons wasted little time taking control of the game as they put up 21 unanswered points in the first quarter and led 28-0 at halftime.
East Kentwood set the tone for the game on the first drive. Starting on their own 22-yard line, the Falcons marched 78 yards down the field in 12 plays. The drive was capped with an 11-yard touchdown pass from Kayd Coffman to Stephan Jones. Jayden Garcia tacked on the extra point giving them a 7-0 lead.
The first takeaway of the game by the Falcon defense came on Grand Ledge’s ensuing possession. The Comets managed to drive down to the Falcon 18-yard line, but a fumble recovery by East Kentwood’s Benedi Kanda stopped the drive.
The Falcons then turned it into points as they went on an 11-play, 80-yard touchdown march. They again capped the drive with a touchdown pass, this time as Coffman hit Kendrick Mayhue on a six-yard scoring strike.
The East Kentwood passing attack produced the third score later in the first quarter. This time Coffman connected with Owen van der Veen on a 25-yard TD pass. Garcia added the point after putting the Falcons up 21-0 while still in the first quarter.
East Kentwood extended the lead to 28-0 in the second quarter. The Falcons scored their fourth touchdown via the ground as Jesse Phillips Jr. ran in for a score from a yard out giving Kentwood a 28-0 lead after Garcia’s extra point kick.
Grand Ledge gets on board in the third
Grand Ledge scored its first points of the game in the third quarter with a touchdown that cut the deficit to 28-7. The Falcons, however, answered with a pair of third-quarter touchdowns to put the game out of reach. Kentwood’s first touchdown of the third quarter came on a six-yard touchdown run by Phillips. The Falcons then struck through the air for the fourth time as Coffman fired a 49-yard touchdown pass to Stephan Jones that put the Falcons up 42-7 after Garcia’s point after.
The two teams closed the game out by trading touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Jacarvion Johnson scored the Kentwood touchdown on a 35-yard scoring run.
For the game, the Falcons finished with 346 rushing yards and 209 passing for a total of 555 yards. Coffman completed 14-of-21 passes for 209 yards and four touchdowns. He also rushed the ball 11 times for 69 yards.
“Bam” Nettleman led with 116 rushing yards
Davien “Bam” Nettleman led the ground game with 116 yards rushing on 11 carries. Phillips added 89 yards on 12 carries with a pair of touchdowns, while Johnson ran for 54 yards on three carries with a touchdown.
“Our offensive line played lights out all day,” Spencer said. “They did a great job for us.”
Jones led the way in the receiving department with three catches for 77 yards and two scores. Ahman Edmonds hauled in a team-high six passes for 42 yards, while Mayhue caught two passes for 21 yards and a score.
The East Kentwood defense was paced by junior linebacker Christopher Thompson II who totaled three tackles, an assist and a tackle for loss, followed by Dallas Thomas-Moody, two tackles, two assists and a tackle for loss, Major Barnes, two tackles and two assists, Alijah Bondon, two tackles, an assist, one sack and two tackles for loss and Donovan Jones and Jonathan Flores each added an interception.
Jayden Garcia logs seven touchbacks on kickoffs
“The guys were flying around and making plays on defense when we had to,” Spencer said. “It was just a pretty good day for us defensively. Our kicking game was also really good. Jayden Garcia had seven touchbacks on kickoffs. That was really important because it gave them (Grand Ledge) a long field to drive each time.”
With the win, East Kentwood improved to 8-2 for the season.
(Image Courtesy of South Christian)
South Christian gets knocked out in overtime
The football season came to an end for South Christian, but not without a fight. The Sailors fell 42-41 in overtime in a Division 4 opener at undefeated Portland.
The game began as a defensive struggle with neither team able to put points on the board in the opening quarter.
Portland scored the game’s first touchdown in the second quarter and South Christian quickly answered with a two-yard scoring run by Brody Shilts that tied the game at 7-7 after the extra point by Hudson Kerstetter.
Portland regained the lead with a touchdown midway through the second quarter. The Sailors, however, closed out the first half strong with a pair of touchdowns to take a 21-14 lead into halftime. South tied the game on an 80-yard touchdown pass from Austin Burgess to Owen Burgess. South Christian then took a 21-14 lead with 43 seconds remaining in the first half on a 10-yard touchdown pass from Burgess to Jesse Van DeGriend. Kerstetter added both extra points.
Sailors led 28-14 early in the third
South extended the lead to 28-14 early in the third quarter when Austin Burgess scored on a three-yard touchdown run.
Portland responded with a touchdown to trim the margin to 28-20.
The Sailors closed out the third quarter with a touchdown to go up 35-20. Burgess connected with Easton Raak on a 34-yard scoring pass that gave the Sailors a 15-point lead heading into the final quarter.
Portland tied the game for overtime
Portland, however, tied the game up in the final quarter to send the game into overtime. Brad Meyers scored for Portland with nine minutes remaining and then in the final minute of the game Nolan Zbytowski scored on a one-yard run and the Raiders tied the game with a two-point conversion.
In overtime, Portland scored on its first possession and added the point after. South Christian then matched that score as Austin Burgess ran in from a yard out, but Portland won the game when it blocked the extra point attempt.
Burgess passed for three TDs and ran two in
Austin Burgess completed 14-of-20 passes for 277 yards and three touchdowns. Burgess also added 38 yards rushing and a pair of rushing touchdowns. Jesse Van De Griend ran for 42 yards and caught three passes for 60 yards and a touchdown. Owen Burgess led the Sailors in receiving with six catches for 128 yards and a touchdown, while Shilts added three receptions for 44 yards.
VanSolkema led with nine solo tackles and two assists
The South Christian defense was paced by Kasjen VanSolkema who totaled nine solo and two assists for 11 total tackles. Benjamin Buiter and Dax Blackport added eight total tackles apiece, while Jack Weiss added five.
South Christian ended the season with a 4-6 overall record, while Portland improved to 10-0.
Godwin Heights, Kelloggsville fall in playoff openers
OK Silver squads Godwin Heights and Kelloggsville both fell in their district semifinal games.
(Courtesy, Godwin Heights)
Godwin Heights dropped a 42-35 decision to Spring Lake in a Division 4 district semifinal game. The Wolverines wrapped up the season with a 7-3 overall record.
Kelloggsville dropped a 45-16 decision to undefeated host Grand Rapids Catholic Central in a Division 5 district semifinal game. The Rockets ended their season at 6-4.
The annual Wyoming Veterans Breakfast includes a hot breakfast, guest speaker Doug Boomer, and a ceremony presented by the Wyoming Police Honor Guard (Courtesy, City of Wyoming)
The annual Wyoming Veterans Breakfast will take place at the Wyoming Senior Center (Courtesy, City of Wyoming)
The City of Wyoming invites Veterans and community members to attend its annual Veterans Breakfast on Tuesday, Nov. 11 at 9 a.m. at the Wyoming Senior Center (2380 DeHoop Ave SW).
Veterans are welcome to attend at no charge as a thank you for their service. All other guests are welcome with a $10 registration. The event includes a hot breakfast, guest speaker Doug Boomer, and a ceremony presented by the Wyoming Police Honor Guard.
“This event is one small way we can show deep appreciation for the sacrifices our Veterans have made,” said Krashawn Martin, Director of Parks and Recreation. “It’s always a heartfelt morning where our community comes together to honor those who’ve served with pride and gratitude.”
Pre-registration is required to attend. Those wishing to participate must register by calling the Parks and Recreation Department at (616) 530-3164.
Veterans gather at a previous annual Wyoming Veterans Breakfast (Courtesy, City of Wyoming)
This Veterans Day, AnchorPoint Christian students will set up a field of American flags in partnership with Disabled American Veterans to honor local veterans and raise critical funds to support our nation’s ill and injured heroes (Courtesy, DAV)
Flags will be displayed at AnchorPoint Christian School on Nov. 11
This Veterans Day, AnchorPoint Christian School students will set up a field of American flags in partnership with Disabled American Veterans (DAV) to honor local veterans and raise critical funds to support our nation’s ill and injured heroes.
Each donated flag represents a special veteran in someone’s life, with proceeds benefiting DAV and the charity’s free, professional services for veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors.
Local students show support for veterans (Courtesy, AnchorPoint Christian)
The flags will be displayed at AnchorPoint Christian School on Nov. 11.
“It’s been amazing to see our students get excited about something that honors others,” said Holly Gomez, a teacher at AnchorPoint Christian School.
“They’re realizing that even at their age, they can play a part in showing appreciation and supporting veterans in our community.”
Providing life-changing services
Headquartered in Erlanger, KY, DAV provides our nation’s veterans and their families with a range of programs, such as benefits assistance, transportation to and from VA medical appointments and more, at no cost. DAV volunteers donate nearly 2.5 million hours per year assisting veterans in their communities.
With over 1,200 chapters across the country, the charity has nearly one million members who give veterans a powerful voice at local, state and federal levels.
(Courtesy, DAV)
“Every flag in the field holds a unique story about a veteran who served and reminds their brothers- and sisters-in-arms that they are not forgotten,” said Barry Jesinoski, DAV CEO and national adjutant. “Each donation helps provide life-changing services for our nation’s veterans and their families. We are deeply touched by the community’s generosity and support.”
Kelloggsville is one of four area teams playing in the MHSAA state playoffs Friday. Godwin Heights, South Christian and East Kentwood round out the other three.
The Kentwood/Wyoming area is well represented in this year’s Michigan High School Athletic Association state playoffs that begin this Friday. East Kentwood, Godwin Heights, South Christian and Kelloggsville all qualified for the playoffs this year with two of the teams, East Kentwood and Godwin Heights, hosting playoffs.
East Kentwood is in the playoffs for the second straight year and is hosting a playoff game for the first time since 2018. The Falcons finished the season with a 7-2 record. East Kentwood is hosting Grand Ledge out of the Capital Area Activities Conference in a first round Division 1 playoff game with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m.
East Kentwood. (Photo Courtesy, Eli Reed)
Grand Ledge comes into the game at 7-2 and finished second in its league at 5-1 behind undefeated DeWitt. The Comets boast an offense that is putting up 35 points per game, while the defense is allowing 22.2 points. Grand Ledge played four playoff teams this year, including games against DeWitt and Detroit Catholic Central who both turned in 9-0 records. The Comets fell to DeWitt 59-7 and lost to Detroit Catholic Central 36-14.
Grand Ledge does share a common opponent with East Kentwood. In Week 1 Grand Ledge traveled to West Ottawa and claimed a 30-27 win. East Kentwood defeated West Ottawa 45-8 in Week 6.
East Kentwood enters the game with an offense putting up 40.8 points per game, while the Falcon defense is allowing 17.3 points. Kentwood has played five playoff teams this year. The two blemishes on the Kentwood schedule came by a combined total of eight points to Rockford (21-14) and Hudsonville (43-42), who have a combined record of 16-2 this season.
Unlike last year when the Falcons played at Hudsonville in the first round of a district comprised of fellow OK Red teams, the Falcons are in a district with teams to the east and south. The change of scenery is something East Kentwood Coach Tyrone Spencer doesn’t mind.
“It’s nice being able to play someone new that you haven’t seen before,” Spencer said. “After a season in the OK Red beating up each other, it’s a nice change to play someone else.”
Spencer said the team also is excited about the playoffs and the opportunity to play a home playoff game.
“The kids are super hyped up”
“We got together on Sunday to watch the selection show and they loved it,” Spencer continued. “They are excited about it and playing a home playoff game, something we haven’t done since 2018.”
(Image Courtesy, Godwin Heights)
Godwin Heights hosting
Godwin Heights finished the regular season with a 7-2 record and also will be hosting a playoff game. The Wolverines host Spring Lake Friday at 7 p.m. in a Division 4 playoff opener.
Spring Lake enters the game with a 6-3 mark. The Lakers are members of the OK White where they turned in a 3-2 record and finished third. The Lakers average 37.4 points per game on offense, while the defense is allowing 21.3 points. Spring Lake played three playoff teams this season, including losses to league rivals Grand Rapids West Catholic (21-14) and Grand Rapids Christian (24-21).
“Closely matched teams”
“It will be a matchup of a couple of closely matched teams,” said Godwin Heights Coach Brandon Kimble. “We don’t know a whole lot about them, but they did play Fruitport who is in our league. We are looking forward to it and we expect it to be a really good game.”
Godwin Heights counters with an offense that is putting up 28.3 points per game. The Wolverines have faced four playoff teams this season and were 2-2 in those meetings. Godwin Heights is in the playoffs for the first time since 2018 other than the 2020 covid season when every school in the state qualified for the playoffs.
“The guys put in a lot of hard work”
“The boys are excited about the game,” Kimble said. “Coming into the season, making the playoffs is one of our main goals. The guys put in a lot of hard work this season and it’s always good to see the success from all the hard work they put into it. We’re super excited about playing at home in front of our fans and the community. We’re also super appreciative of all the support we have received from the administration and the community.”
(Image Courtesy, South Christian)
10 years in a row for the Sailors
South Christian qualified for the playoffs for a 10th consecutive season. The last time the Sailors missed the playoffs was 2015 when they finished at 2-7. South Christian hits the road for the playoff opener as it travels to Portland to take on the 9-0 Raiders of Portland in a Division 4 playoff game slated for a 7 p.m. kickoff Friday. Portland reached the regional finals last season and two years ago the Raiders advanced to the state semifinals where they fell to South Christian 21-6.
Portland features a potent offense that is putting up 38.1 points per game and utilizes a strong ground game. The Raider defense is especially stingy allowing opponents five points per game. Portland has played three teams that qualified for the playoffs this season.
“They (Portland) have a real good program,” said South Christian Coach Danny Brown. “The past few years they have had a lot of success. They know how to win. Watching the film you can see the enthusiasm they play with. They also tackle well and block well. They will be a challenge for us.”
South Christian enters the game at 4-5. A look inside the numbers, however, points to a highly-competitive schedule that the Sailors needed to navigate to earn a spot in the playoffs. South Christian played six playoff teams during the season with two wins against those teams to its credit. South defeated Grand Rapids Christian 27-13 and Zeeland East 41-12. The Sailors also had close losses to playoff teams, Grand Rapids Catholic Central (24-17), Zeeland West (12-6) and Grand Rapids West Catholic (27-20), meaning they enter the game being more than battle tested.
“The kids are excited for the opportunity,” Brown said. “They are excited about the playoffs, the second season, and playing in a win or go home situation.”
South enters the game with an offense putting up 22.3 points per game and its defense has developed into a team strength.
“Our defense has been continually improving,” Brown said. “We will really need our defense to play well Friday. We are going to need 11 hats flying to the football.”
Rockets head to the playoffs with a 6-3 mark
Kelloggsville enters the playoffs with a 6-3 record, the best mark at Kelloggsville since the 2017 Rocket team turned in a 9-0 regular season. That was the last time the Rockets qualified for the playoffs other than the 2020 season that was affected by the Covid pandemic.
Kelloggsville travels to Grand Rapids Catholic Central Friday for a 7 p.m. Division 5 opener.
Catholic Central is a familiar face in the playoffs for Kelloggsville as the Cougars defeated the Rockets 45-34 in the 2017 playoffs. That Catholic Central team also went on to win the Division 4 state championship.
Catholic Central enters the game with a 9-0 record. The Cougars, who average 29.3 points per game on offense, won the OK Black Conference championship this year. They field a stingy defense that’s allowing just 7.6 points per game. That defense was on display when the Cougars edged East Grand Rapids 10-7 in a game that determined the league champion. Catholic Central played a total of four playoff teams this year including a road win against defending Division 6 state champion Jackson Lumen Christi.
Running back Keyontae Gibson leading the charge
Kelloggsville enters the game with a high-powered offense of its own that’s putting up 25.2 points per game. The Rocket offense is led by running back Keyontae Gibson, who’s coming off a five-touchdown, 416-yard rushing effort in a win against Holland in the regular-season finale.
That win propelled the Rockets into the playoffs and the team is thrilled to be going.
“The kids are pumped up about it,” said Kelloggsville Coach Justin Dennett. “Everyone is really excited about it. It’s been great seeing the way the school and the community have rallied around the team. Everyone is embracing it and enjoying the ride.”
Featuring over 100 artisans from Mexico, Guelaguetza Designs in Wyoming is more than just a business that sells handmade clothing, jewelry and home decor from Mexico – it is a space to celebrate culture.
Guelaguetza Designs celebrated 20 years of business in September by outgrowing their previous store on DeHoop Avenue and moving to their current, larger location – an 8,000-square-foot building on 28th Street.
But owner Nancy Quero says the grand opening celebration was about more than reaching a milestone, it was about recognizing the impact Guelaguetza Designs has made in the community.
“Our commitment to celebrating culture and traditions has fostered a strong sense of belonging among community members,” Quero said. “We’ve created a space where stories are shared, traditions are honored, and every individual feels valued.”
Hugged by culture
Born and raised in Oaxaca, Mexico, Quero left her mother, brother and two sisters and immigrated to the United States when she was 19 years old, searching for opportunities to help her family.
“My dad died when I was 15,” Quero said. “My mom was struggling a little bit, and this opportunity came to come here. [I came] so I could help my family.”
Once in the U.S., however, Quero missed that connection with her family and culture.
Faced with a new culture, Quero found comfort in the clothes her mother made for her (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
“I felt like there was something missing when I arrived here,” said Quero. “New country, new language, new people. So anytime I used to wear my tops or my dresses, I felt hugged by my culture, I felt hugged by my mom, who made those clothes.”
Recognizing the importance of remaining connected to her heritage, Quero founded Guelaguetza Designs in 2005. Not only did the business keep Quero rooted to her Mexican heritage, it provided a hub where the West Michigan Hispanic business and residential communities could connect with the rich culture of Mexico.
100% authentic
“Everything we sell here is 100% handmade in Mexico,” said Quero.
Collaborating with artisans in Mexico allows Quero to support underserved Mexican workshops by offering fair trade business practices that create sustainable business and preserve native Mexican ancestral techniques.
Many artists Quero collaborated with upon opening Guelaguetza Designs were from workshops her father had partnered with before his death.
“Right now I’m working with the daughters and sons of the people that my dad was working [with], so it’s like a second generation working together,” said Quero.
Guelaguetza Designs (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Guelaguetza Designs (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Guelaguetza Designs (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Guelaguetza Designs (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Guelaguetza Designs (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Guelaguetza Designs (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Guelaguetza Designs (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Guelaguetza Designs (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Guelaguetza Designs (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Guelaguetza Designs (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Finding new workshops, Quero added, is an intricate process.
“We want to make sure that they are the ones who make everything that they sell because we want to make sure that we are sourcing items that are 100% authentic, [and] that we are contributing to those workshops directly,” Quero said. “I ask a lot of questions, [and] I ask for videos if I’m not able to go and visit their workshop.”
Though her mother and siblings are all involved in art and design, Quero admitted her passion lies more with business and relational aspects, similar to her father.
“I was taught how to sew and embroider – the basics,” said Quero, “but that’s something that I do not enjoy as much as talking to the people, selling, being that bridge between those workshops and my community here. That’s what I love, what I enjoy the most.”
A long journey
The journey to becoming a brick-and-mortar business was a long one. Fourteen years, to be exact.
Though Quero began selling handmade products in 2005, the first Guelaguetza Designs brick-and-mortar store did not open until 2019. In the last six years, however, they outgrew the 3,000-square-foot building and moved to their current – and larger – location on 28th Street.
Guelaguetza can now be found at their new 8,000 square-foot location on 28th Street (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)Guelaguetza can now be found at their new 8,000 square-foot location on 28th Street (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Quero credits her success to awareness of community changes and demand over the years. Those observations led her to develop new business plans and strategies as needed to bring products to those desiring Mexican culture and those wanting to learn about Mexican culture.
“In the last five years, there is a boom of people being curious about Mexico,” said Quero. She went on to say that many people became interested in learning about Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) after the release of the animated film Coco.
Día de los Muertos
This ofrenda rests just inside the main entrance of Guelaguetza Designs (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Celebrated between Oct. 31-Nov. 2, Día de los Muertos is a festive and colorful holiday where individuals and families remember and honor deceased loved ones.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re not Mexican,” said Quero. “You can still remember; it is very important. That’s why there is a specific date for us to do this.
“Día de los Muertos is about that: remembering all of those who are no longer with us, remembering their lives, their happiness, and everything good they added to our lives.”
During the annual celebration, it is common to create an ofrenda, or altar, to honor loved ones. Many people begin with only flowers and pictures of their loved ones. Over time, they may add water, incense, art, sugar skulls and other elements.
Inside Guelaguetza Designs is an ofrenda with various items and written meanings for each item or element. Quero said this is helpful for patrons who come ready to find items to add to their ofrenda.
“It’s a very nice moment, and I love seeing community come together celebrating this kind of holiday.”
Embracing cultural heritage
Through Guelaguetza Designs, Quero works to inspire youth to embrace their own cultural heritage, learn about the culture and identities of others, and foster a lifelong commitment to cultural awareness and social responsibility.
Quero learned the importance of giving back from her parents (Courtesy, Guelaguetza Designs)
“It’s very important because it’s part of who we are,” said Quero. “It’s very important that we, as a parent, instill in them that love for our culture – so that when they grow up they can continue it.
“That’s the only way that our heritage and culture can continue going through many years to come.”
Giving back is also at the heart of everything Quero does.
“Anything that we give back – your time, money – it’s important. We love supporting different causes and other nonprofit organizations that align with our mission.”
For more information about Guelaguetza Designs, click here.
Wyoming Public Schools is asking residents to approve a new bond totaling $29.75 million that will provide support for day-to-day district operations and complete projects identified in their long-range facilities plan (Video provided by Wyoming Public Schools)
Wyoming Public Schools (WPS) is asking residents to approve a new bond totaling $29.75 million that will provide support for day-to-day district operations and complete projects identified in their long-range facilities plan.
In communications sent to all WPS families, Superintendent Craig Hoekstra encourages community members to be aware of three proposals on the Nov. 4, 2025 election ballot and what each proposal will fund.
(Courtesy, Wyoming Public Schools)
“This bond, if approved, will allow us to complete our Facility Master Plan that we built many years ago,” said Hoekstra in a video introducing the bond proposal.
“We put a great plan together to completely update our school district. Our buildings were built between the 1940s and the 1960s, so completing our Master Facilities Plan will allow us to execute our vision that best supports our kids today, but also well into the future.”
Bond proposal facts
Supplied by Wyoming Public Schools
The Kent ISD Regional Enhancement Millage would be restored and renewed to a total of 0.9 mills for educational and operational programming.
The WPS Sinking Fund replaces our expiring Sinking Fund and would result in a no net tax rate increase and focuses on repairs, safety, technology replacements, and buses.
The WPS Bond Proposal totals $29.75 million to complete projects identified in our Master Facilities Plan, including new learning spaces for students, air conditioning and secure entrances in remaining buildings, elementary media center updates, and a gym addition at Gladiola. If the Bond Proposal is approved, the overall net debt millage rate is expected to decrease by 0.15 mills.
WPS Bond Proposal (Courtesy, Wyoming Public Schools)WPS Sinking Fund Proposal (Courtesy, Wyoming Public Schools)
A tax decrease
Hoekstra went on to say that WPS asked for help from the community three different times – in 2017, 2022 and now 2025 – to avoid the inevitable tax increase of a one-time large bond request.
“We were being very mindful and fiscally responsible with our community with no increase (2017), no increase (2022), and this one is a tax decrease (2025),” said Hoekstra.
This third and final bond request on Nov. 4 will allow WPS to continue work begun with the previous two proposals without any gaps in advancement and completion of the Master Facilities Plan.
“These proposals aren’t just about buildings, they are about creating spaces where students feel safe, supported and ready to succeed,” a WPS student said in the bond proposal video.
“I’m excited because we get to go out to our community, be good stewards of their resources, and just supporting our kids at a very high level moving forward,” said Hoekstra. “What excites me the most is we’re doing this for our kids.”
Learn more
More information on the bond proposals can be found at wyomingps.org.
Darius Walker, 2025 winner of the SNF Kingpin of Comedy competition (Courtesy, Brian B.)
The Sunday Night Funnies‘ (SNF) seventh annual Kingpin of Comedy competition began with 91 comedians on May 11, and ended with one on Oct. 26 when Darius Walker was crowned the 2025 Kingpin of Comedy champion before a capacity crowd at Spectrum Entertainment Complex.
“As always with the finals, the audience vote was very tight with only five votes separating first and third place,” said Brian B., MC and Founder of the SNF. “But Darius had an outstanding set.”
Brian B. went on to say that Walker had been a Kingpin of Comedy finalist the previous two years, so he was not surprised Walker won the title of 2025 champion.
“Over the years, I’ve seen him mature as a comedian,” said Brian B. “I know that he puts a lot of effort in going out and doing shows, as well as always writing new material.”
Prizes worthy of a king!
As the Kingpin of Comedy winner, Walker received a prize package worth over $1,000.
The SNF Kingpin of Comedy final competition was filled to capacity with interested audience members (Courtesy, Brian B.)
“Seeing that Wyoming is the 14th largest city in Michigan, I thought that the overall winner deserved a prize package worthy of the title Most Humorous Human in Town,” said Brian B.
Walker received a prize package worth over $1,000 (Courtesy, Brian B.)
The prize package included $500 cash, gift cards from LaughFest and GLC Live at 20 Monroe, as well as prizes from various Wyoming businesses and competition host Spectrum Entertainment Complex.
Walker also received a bowling pin trophy, personalized “Kingpin” bowling shirt, a video of his winning performance, and an invitation to close the SNF special 2026 LaughFest performance in March.
After his victory, Walker said, “I’d like to thank my wife, friends and the Grand Rapids comedy community for helping me grow as a comedian!”
About SNF
The Sunday Night Funnies is the creation of Grand Rapids stand-up comedian Brian B. The weekly live stand-up comedy performance is free admission and features a variety of local and national comics. Now in its 16th year, over 1,275 different comedians have entertained SNF audiences.
A holiday treat came early for 22 ArtPrize winners in the form of a $400,000 prize pool as the international art competition concluded Friday, Oct. 3.
Many stories were told through the 931 works submitted to ArtPrize by 1,100 artists. Among them was one of ecological stewardship told through a glamorous re-creation of our own waste.
Grand Dome is a 10-foot by 17-foot geodesic sculpture created by artist Adrienne Outlaw and currently on display at the Grand Valley State University (GVSU) Eberhard Center. The piece is made from more than 100,000 plastic bottle caps collected by community members who then helped Outlaw construct the piece in a collaborative project.
Protecting the world through art
Grand Dome is the latest in Outlaw’s national public art initiative, where she works with river cities to create large-scale collaborative artworks to promote ecological stewardship against plastic pollution. The sculpture took three months to make and is a follow-up to Outlaw’s Reef, a 6-foot by 8-foot sculpture also made of plastic bottle caps, that was showcased at ArtPrize 2024.
Outlaw said she has been “working with found objects and ideas for global consumerism” for most of her career. In 2019, Outlaw took a trip to Southeast Asia where she was blindsided by the effect of the U.S. plastic pollution on Asian countries, namely Singapore, Cambodia and Malaysia.
Looking up at the ceiling of Grand Dome from inside (Courtesy, Koy Flores)
“I worked with some artists there, and we would take microplastics out of the beach sand,” said Outlaw. “At the same time, China announced that they weren’t taking our waste anymore…then I started thinking of plastic as an issue.
“I moved to St. Louis in 2015 and started doing research. I realized the Mississippi Watershed drains 40% of the water waste from the U.S. Even Grand Rapids is connected to the watershed because of the lock system in Lake Michigan (The Great Lakes and the Mighty Mississippi).”
Outlaw stated that she is addressing these issues with river cities.
“[If] we allow these plastics to enter our waterways they will travel down the Mississippi River, into the Gulf of Mexico and out into the Atlantic Ocean, becoming microplastics.”
Meaningful…trash?
Outlaw expressed novelty for the project because it was a departure from the traditional solitary practice. People would email, call, text, or show up to help contribute to the project “every single day.”
“This project has changed the way I make art.”
Outlaw laughed while recounting how people loved to bring her their trash. “They offered me their labor, time and expertise. People want to do the right thing so badly.”
As fate would have it, one woman from South Haven, MI happened to be an avid bottle cap collector.
Inside the Grand Dome at night (Courtesy, Outlaw)
“She found out about my work through ArtPrize, tracked me down on the internet and asked if she could donate her collection,” said Outlaw. “I was able to meet up with her along the way to Grand Rapids. She gave me about three years’ worth of bottle caps that she had been collecting with the hope that she could donate them to something meaningful.”
After Outlaw collected the needed amount of bottle caps, she sent them to Michigan and invited Michiganders to help create the panels for Grand Dome. Outlaw’s studio did the mechanical work of putting the panels together, but Outlaw wanted to show community members the “value and joy of working with their hands.”
The main groups that assisted in the creation of Grand Dome were the Mint Artists Guild in Detroit, the GVSU art department and the First Presbyterian Church in Holland.
Outlaw attempts to be inclusive of all people with her collaborative works, providing people a range of participation opportunities from simply donating recyclables to actually putting the panels together with zip ties. Outlaw remarked that she invited participants to write their names on an ID tag before inserting them into the panels, making the experience even more empowering.
Awareness and emulation
Outlaw is proud of the amount of awareness Grand Dome has raised toward excessive consumption and harmful pollution.
“Having people approach the dome from a distance, not understanding what they’re looking at, but then they realize this is our waste,” said Outlaw. “They then realize how much plastic is in our trash. We can address this plastic pollution joyfully, from a grassroots movement, and creatively think about solving these issues. Instead of looking at it from a dismal ‘world is on fire’ mindset.”
Creative thinking and setting an example can lead to a healthier world (Courtesy, pxhere.com)
A few minor adjustments to our everyday lives can help procure a healthier world for the next generation. Outlaw is a believer in setting examples for emulation.
“You see studies where, if one person does something good, then the next person is likely to do something good,” said Outlaw. “You see that with trash. If one person throws things on the ground, but then you see someone else picking it up (instead) of walking past it or throwing something (as well), you can start collectively moving toward the good and away from the bad.”
Learn more!
To connect with Adrienne Outlaw and view her work, click here.
With talented senior running back Keyontae Gibson leading the charge on offense, Kelloggsville held off Holland 40-34 to cap a winning regular season and secure a spot in the state playoffs.
Gibson turned in a game to remember as he carried the ball 41 times for 416 yards and scored five touchdowns as the Rockets turned back a late Holland comeback to earn the win and finish the regular season with a 6-3 record. That record is the best one the Rockets have posted since 2017 and is the first time they have qualified for the playoffs since 2017 other than the covid year of 2020 when every team qualified.
The 2017 team finished the regular season with a perfect 9-0 record and reached the second round of the playoffs where it dropped a 45-34 decision to Grand Rapids Catholic Central, who went on to win the Division 4 state championship. Ironically, Kelloggsville faces Catholic Central in the first round of the playoffs this week.
The rushing exploits of Gibson went a long way in helping the Rockets secure the playoff spot this year. For the year, Gibson has rushed for over 1,400 yards and scored 17 touchdowns.
“Keyontae had quite the game Friday,” said Kelloggsville Coach Justin Dennett. “We are trying to find out if it was a school record. There is a chance it is, but we are not sure. We ran the ball exclusively Friday as we didn’t complete a pass. Isaak Kowal and Cameron Dunbar also helped out running the ball to give Keyontae a break.”
Offensive line paved the way for Gibson
“Our offensive line really did a good job,” Dennett said. “Zane Hendricks is a senior lineman and he did a great job of leading our line on both offense and defense. Davion Whitfield is a junior who starts on both the offensive and defensive line and he also did a great job. The guys up front did a great job Friday night and have been getting the job done all season too.”
Dunbar, who has been battling through injury, also has been a big part of the Kelloggsville ground game this year totaling 505 yards rushing with 10 touchdowns.
The Kelloggsville defense also stepped up with some impact plays to preserve the win.
Defense big as well
“Our defense really came up with some big plays,” Dennett said. “We had three interceptions and a fumble recovery on defense. Nasyre Walker had an interception and a fumble recovery. Isaak Kowal also had a great game on the defensive side of the ball. We moved our freshman Sincere Allen to inside linebacker. He had never played there before and he had a lot of tackles all over the place. He made a lot of plays for us.”
The win capped a big turnaround season for the Rockets who went 1-8 last season. Paving the way for the turnaround has been the Rockets’ senior class.
“We have a really good core group of seniors,” Dennett said. “They have stepped up and have been leading us all year. They do a great job of setting the tone in practice. They have set a new standard in how to do things. This is my first year as head coach here and that group of seniors bought right into what the new coaching staff was putting in.”
The Rockets started the season strong with wins against Grant and Perry before falling to Fruitport in Week 3 and eventual league champion Belding in Week 4. In Week 5 the Rockets came up with a pivotal 30-22 win against Hopkins.
Hopkins win was telling
“The Hopkins game was when our kids realized that we have a chance to make the playoffs and can be a pretty good football team,” Dennett said. “Hopkins has been a good team for a long time and we took a 22-0 lead on them. They came back to tie it, but we came back with a scoring drive to seal it. To come back and beat them was a big win for us. We also won a close one with Comstock Park.”
Kelloggsville defeated Comstock Park 22-18 in Week 7 to improve to 5-2.
“Winning the close ones”
“We had to learn how to win the close ones,” Dennett said. “We found a way to win in those close games this year. Winning the close games has shown the growth in this team and how much they have improved since the start of the year.”
The Rockets now face a 9-0 Grand Rapids Catholic Central team in the first round of the playoffs. The game is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, at Catholic Central’s Cougar Stadium.
By Cris Greer WKTV Managing Editor/Sports Director greer@wktv.org
Check out the new and exciting football clips above from our latest Friday Night Highlights show.
Just like basketball season, every week we’ll bring you much of the local high school football home stadium action from the local varsity teams, highlight some top performers and their stats, give final scores, and show a snapshot of the latest conference standings in an exciting Friday Night Highlights show.
Look for our fast-paced local highlights show every Monday night! Thanks for tuning in.
WKTV Game of the Week
Year after year, our high-tech WKTV Truck Game of the Week includes two play-by-play announcers, an occasional field announcer and various camera angles with slow motion replays to capture all those great plays for your viewing pleasure.
You can count on our very experienced, exciting game announcers for both football and basketball to guide you through your local team’s games. If you are interested in volunteering at WKTV Sports for our Truck or Studio productions, please email me at greer@wktv.org
Game of the Week airs every Friday night on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 & AT&T U-Verse Channel 99 at 11 p.m. with a rebroadcast on Saturday at 11 a.m. You also can watch these games on our WKTV YouTube Channel.
Kingpin competition finalists (Courtesy, Brian B.)
Ninety-eight comedians are now down to eight as the seventh annual Sunday Night Funnies (SNF) Kingpin of Comedy competition enters its final round on Sunday, Oct. 26.
“We have a good mix of comedians performing in the Kingpin finals this year,” says Brian B., MC and founder of the SNF.
Participating comedians hail from the Grand Rapids and Detroit areas, Holland and Buchanan.
“It’s a diverse lineup as well,” says Brian B. “Of the eight comedians performing, two are women and four of the comics are of color.”
The Kingpin of Comedy final round will also feature a drawing for a pair of tickets to comedian Adam Degi’s first standup comedy special recording on Nov. 14 at the Pyramid Scheme in Grand Rapids.
Degi will also be closing out the Kingpin Finals while the votes are being counted.
Prizes galore!
(Courtesy, Brian B.)
The Kingpin of Comedy winner will receive a prize package worth over $1,000.
“Seeing that Wyoming is the 14th largest city in Michigan, I thought that the overall winner deserved a prize package worthy of the title Most Humorous Human in Town,” says Brian B.
The prize package includes $500 cash, gift cards from LaughFest and GLC Live at 20 Monroe, as well as prizes from various Wyoming businesses and competition host Spectrum Entertainment Complex.
The winner also receives a bowling pin trophy and personalized “Kingpin” bowling shirt.
About SNF
The Sunday Night Funnies is the creation of Grand Rapids stand-up comedian Brian B. The weekly live stand-up comedy performance is free admission and features a variety of local and national comics. Now in its 16th year, over 1,275 different comedians have entertained SNF audiences.
Marine Corps veteran and Birthday Ball organizer Eric Winters with skywritten smiley face above him at the Muskegon Air Show. (Photo Courtesy, Eric Winters)
While recovering from a car accident after his Marine Corps service, veteran Eric Winters wasn’t happy with the challenges he faced.
“During my recovery, I became so mad at the system that I had to start a nonprofit to help my military brothers and sisters,” explained Winters, who founded a nonprofit called VETS (Veteran Enrichment Taskforce Services) in 2024. “We are out here advocating for our military community, with a primary focus on mental health, housing and more.”
Winters was inspired to found VETS after the accident left him unable to continue working. He said he wanted to advocate for veterans who have been left behind. The nonprofit seeks to raise awareness of veterans’ issues through community events.
Their mission: “To identify, develop, deliver and evaluate veteran-based needs paralleled with a service solution for growth, prosperity and fun.”
Marine Corps Birthday Ball This year marks the 250th birthday of the United States Marine Corps and what better way to highlight the milestone with a celebration.
Marine Corps Birthday Ball to celebrate 250th anniversary. Tickets can be purchased through Nov. 3. (Image Courtesy, Eric Winters)
“I had a sudden epiphany,” said Winters, who served from 2004 to 2012. “Milestone life events bring parties, and parties bring people and awareness. It just so happened that Marines around the world would be celebrating their birthday, so let’s host the next Marine Corps birthday ball.”
The First Annual City of Grand Rapids Marine Corps Birthday Ball will be held on Monday, Nov. 10, at the DeVos Place, 303 Monroe Ave. NW Grand Rapids. That marks the exact date the Marine Corps was founded 250 years ago; Nov. 10, 1775, in Philadelphia by Commandant Samuel Nicholas.
The Marines were the third branch of the US Armed Forces, arriving five months after the Army and one month after the Navy. Today, the Marine Corps is a component of the U.S. Department of the Navy, with nearly 200,000 active and reserve personnel.
Local veterans at the US Marine Corps War Memorial. (Photo Courtesy, Eric Winters)
The Skinny The event, slated from 5 to 9:30 p.m., begins with a cocktail and social hour, followed by an official ceremony at 6 p.m., dinner at 7 and dancing at 8 p.m.
The goal of Winters and VETS is to fundraise and support the Marines while honoring past and present service members and their families. They are partnering with Creative Community Entertainment (CCE) to host the event.
Additional festivities begin a few days before, with a drone light show at 555 Monroe St. from 5 to 9 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday, Nov. 7 and 8. The light show features live music, vendors and a VIP booth offering alcohol sales.
On Sunday, Nov. 9, from 2 to 6 p.m., there’ll be bowling, arcade games and food at the Main Event Center, located at 3121 28th St. SE, Kentwood. Patrons can present their receipt from the Ball at the Main Event, which will donate 20 percent of all proceeds to it. A Veterans Day parade on Nov. 11 will cap off the weekend. Starting at 6 p.m, it’ll run from Lyon and Ottawa Street through Veterans Memorial Park.
“For Marines, this day is more than a celebration – it is a sacred tradition observed with the reverence of a national holiday,” Winters explained.
Grave Markers from the 22 A Day Suicide Awareness Program on the side of the US-131 highway in Grand Rapids in remembrance of the 22 veterans who take their own lives each day. (Photo Courtesy, Eric Winters)
Marine Ball shy of fundraising goal VETS set an initial fundraising goal of $250,000 by the 250th anniversary Ball, which Winters admits was ambitious. The group has currently raised just over $15,000, with the budget for the ball estimated at $30,000. Members of the public are invited to donate in any way they can to support the cause. Winters notes that VETS will allocate any extra funds raised toward the broader mission of CCE and VETS.
“Your support will not only help us celebrate this historic occasion, it will also empower veterans who have given so much in service to our country,” Winters said.
Tickets can be purchased through Nov. 3. The first 200 guests to register will receive an event T-shirt, a commemorative cup and a challenge coin. Tickets may be purchased at this link.
“Becoming a Marine is a lifelong badge of honor – one earned through dedication, sacrifice and pride,” Winters said. “Marines are not only members of the world’s most elite fighting force, but also part of a greater community that continues to serve and uplift others long after active duty ends.”
Marine Corps veteran Eric Winters (right) with a WWII veteran at a Comstock Park football game where veterans were honored on the field. (Photo Courtesy, Eric Winters)
By Cris Greer WKTV Managing Editor/Sports Director greer@wktv.org
Check out the new and exciting football clips above from our latest Friday Night Highlights show.
Just like basketball season, every week we’ll bring you much of the local high school football home stadium action from the local varsity teams, highlight some top performers and their stats, give final scores, and show a snapshot of the latest conference standings in an exciting Friday Night Highlights show.
Look for our fast-paced local highlights show every Monday night! Thanks for tuning in.
WKTV Game of the Week
Year after year, our high-tech WKTV Truck Game of the Week includes two play-by-play announcers, an occasional field announcer and various camera angles with slow motion replays to capture all those great plays for your viewing pleasure.
You can count on our very experienced, exciting game announcers for both football and basketball to guide you through your local team’s games. If you are interested in volunteering at WKTV Sports for our Truck or Studio productions, please email me at greer@wktv.org
Game of the Week airs every Friday night on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 & AT&T U-Verse Channel 99 at 11 p.m. with a rebroadcast on Saturday at 11 a.m. You also can watch these games on our WKTV YouTube Channel.
Davenport Running Back Cephus Harris runs through a crowd. (Courtesy, WSU Athletics)
BY Bill Rohn WKTV Contributor greer@wktv.org
Four scores from running back Cephus Harris combined with a revived passing attack led Davenport to a 49-14 win over Wayne State’s Warriors in Detroit Saturday.
The win improved the Panthers’ Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference record to 2-2. DU is now 3-3 overall, while Wayne State fell to 0-3 and 0-7.
DU’s revved up run/pass combination produced 214 yards on the ground and 330 yards through the air.
Harris — a 5’8” 215 pound Junior transfer from Youngstown State, whose older brother Myron Harris led the Panthers’ rushing attack last year — opened the scoring on a 9-yard run midway through the first quarter, then added two one-yard TD plunges in the second quarter. Davenport also got a 35-yard touchdown pass from quarterback D’wan Mathis to Dom Grguric with 5:44 left in the opening quarter.
Davenport receiver Dom Grguric grabbed a 35-yard touchdown pass from quarterback D’wan Mathis in the opening quarter.(Courtesy, WSU Athletics)
The Panthers led 28-0 with 1:23 left before halftime when Wayne’s Luke Johnson stepped in front of an ill-timed pass from Mathis and quickly returned his interception 67 yards for a score, cutting DU’s intermission margin to three touchdowns, at 28-7.
Meanwhile, Davenport’s defense harassed Wayne‘s quarterbacks all afternoon. They knocked Warrior starting QB Carson Creehan out the game with concussion symptoms on Wayne’s second play from scrimmage, then sacked replacement QB Justin Cox four times. The DU defensive surge was led by Xavier Marquez and Latrell Scott, with five tackles each. Coach Sparky McEwen’s squad also forced a fumble and snared two interceptions, while holding the Warriors to 37 net rushing yards.
Second half action saw Davenport continue to press its advantage. Mathis hit wide receiver Keonta Nixon with a 50 yard third-quarter touchdown pass before Harris found the end zone from nine yards out for his third touchdown with four minutes left in the quarter. Harris finished the contest with 133 yards on 20 carries, for an average of nearly seven yards per attempt.
The Warriors finally got on the offensive scoreboard on a one-yard run by XaVior Tyus early in the fourth quarter, making the score 42-14. Davenport closed the scoring on a 4-yard run by Jeremiah Sterling with 7:34 left to play.
In addition to DU’s strong running game, Mathis threw for 285 yards, connecting on 18 of 25 throws including a five for five performance while targeting wideout George Sims.
Late in the game, Davenport actually reached 576 yards in total offense. However, Panther quarterbacks then saw two center snaps fly over their heads and land well behind the line of scrimmage. The result was over 30 yards in losses, wiping out DU’s chance at a new total offense record.
Davenport now returns home to Caledonia, with noon kickoffs on each of the next four Saturdays, beginning on October 25 against Roosevelt University. Wayne State will next attempt to get a first win at GLIAC foe Saginaw Valley State.
Godwin Heights continued their winning ways with a 41-22 victory over rival Kelloggsville Friday and in the process set up a winner-take-all scenario for the OK Silver championship at Belding.
The win kept Godwin Heights perfect in the OK Silver with a 5-0 record and sets up next Friday’s showdown in Belding against the Black Knights who are also 5-0 in the league. The two teams also have 7-1 overall records.
“It was a real battle with them last year,” said Godwin Heights Coach Brandon Kimble. “It was 14-7 at halftime and it was close in the third quarter before they ran away in the fourth quarter. The conference championship is going to be on the line and our boys are going to be ready to play. We have a real strong senior class that is used to going on the road and we’ve played in some really tough games already.”
The win against Kelloggsville was another one of those tough games. Godwin Heights fell behind the Rockets 16-7 in the first quarter before scoring the next five touchdowns to secure the win in the annual rivalry between the Division Avenue neighbors.
“It’s a big rivalry game for us,” Kimble said. “You can throw out the records when we play. Kelloggsville has been playing good as well this year and we knew they were going to give it their all. We battled back and forth early and it was a good game. They played hard, but our boys came to play.”
Wolverines averaging 33 points per game
Godwin Heights has been especially strong on offense this season as the Wolverines are averaging 33.6 points per game. Junior running back Julius Hoskins was among the offensive leaders for as he ran for four touchdowns against Kelloggsville. Hoskins finished the game with 202 rushing yards.
“Julius is really going to be something special,” Kimble said. “We actually have two stud running backs. Ka’Res Harris splits carries with Julius and he actually leads us in touchdowns.”
Godwin Heights sophomore quarterback Martellis Forest also was a big part of the offensive outburst. Forest passed for 171 yards.
“We are blessed with the athletes that we have at all of our skill positions,” Kimble said. “Martellis is one of the best quarterbacks in the area. He can really spin it. He can put the ball anywhere and can throw the deep ball. He puts a lot of pressure on opposing defenses.”
Forest also is blessed with a wide variety of receivers.
“We have some really good receivers on the outside,” Kimble said. “We have four receivers who are capable to taking it to the house at any time. Isziah Walker, Martise Raphael, Aidan Jackson and Taisjon Allen have all been doing a great job for us.”
Walker led Wolverine receivers with nine catches, 98 yards and a TD
Walker led the way against Kelloggsville as he caught nine passes for 98 yards and a touchdown.
Paving the way for the backs and providing pass protection is an offensive line anchored by Jeremiah Lee and Jayden Ingram.
“Jeremiah is our right tackle and he had over 10 pancake blocks,” Kimble said. “Jayden is our left tackle and he is just as good. Our entire offensive line has been doing a great job and we have had over 200 yards rushing in the last three games.”
While the offense has been putting up plenty of points this season, the Godwin Heights defense has been stingy when it comes to allowing points.
“Our defensive line is very strong,” Kimble said. “We are led up front by Louis Wilson who is a three-year starter. Lonnie Sanders and Josiah Cox flank Louis. Our defensive line is really strong.”
The Wolverines also are solid in the defensive backfield.
“Taisjon Allen is a team captain and he leads us in the back end,” Kimble said. “He had a pick on Friday.
Mikyius Witherspoon plays a rover position for us and he has led us in tackles in three out of the last four games. He is a big part of our defense. He had four tackles for loss on Friday. He has really been playing great for us.”
With a 7-1 overall record, Godwin Heights is heading to the playoffs regardless of the outcome of Friday’s game with Belding. The Wolverines are 13th in the state in Division 4 in playoff points.
Kelloggsville also is looking to punch its ticket for the playoffs next Friday when it hosts Holland. The Rockets are 5-3 for the season and a win against 2-6 Holland would secure a playoff spot for the Rockets.
Cameron Dunbar led Kelloggsville with a pair of touchdowns and Keyontae Gibson added one as well.
Women at Risk, International President Rebecca McDonald will lead the three main sessions of the Civilian First Responder conference (Courtesy, WAR, Int’l)
100,000 – 300,00 U.S. kids are at risk of trafficking. (National Center for Missing & Exploited Children)
One-third of teens are lured toward prostitution within 48 hours of leaving home. (National Runaway Hotline)
Fifteen = the average number of times a trafficked minor is sold per day. (National Center for Missing & Exploited Children)
Learning about human trafficking and how to prevent it can save lives (Courtesy, pxhere.com)
Learn how to become a circle of protection around your loved ones by attending the Civilian First Responder (CFR) conference hosted by Women at Risk, International (WAR, Int’l) on Saturday, Oct. 25.
“No longer do we have the luxury of deciding whether or not we need to know about human trafficking,” states the WAR, Int’l website.
Circles of protection
A Michigan based, non-profit charitable organization, WAR Int’l is known for their fight against human trafficking and rehabilitation of trafficking victims.
Established to create circles of protection around those at risk, WAR’s programs and partnerships provide safe places to heal from abuse, trafficking, exploitation and more in over 40 countries. The organization’s culturally sensitive, value-added intervention projects and partnerships empower survivors to live and work with dignity and hope.
CFR – What to expect
The upcoming and highly sought-after CFR conference will bring President of WAR, Int’l Rebecca McDonald, human trafficking survivors, law enforcement officers and members of the U.S. government together to educate communities on human trafficking.
The CFR conference will take place on Saturday, Oct. 25 from 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (EST) at Women at Risk Headquarters, 2790 44th Street SW.
Attendees will learn what makes a community susceptible to trafficking; how to identify a victim and signs of trafficking in your community; how to respond to and report suspicious activity; helpful tips, action plans, and ways to protect the innocent; and how to share this information with all ages of community members.
How to prevent human trafficking is information that should be shared with all ages (Courtesy, pxhere.com)
During the conference, participants will have the opportunity to attend three sessions led by Rebecca McDonald and breakout sessions led by various professionals involved in the fight against human trafficking. A question and answer session with conference session leaders, speakers and survivors will round out the day.
CFR conference schedule
9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. SESSION ONE (Speaker: Rebecca McDonald)
Do you feel like you don’t know what trafficking is or how it found its way into our communities? This session will show you why it is vital for everyone to know the signs of human trafficking. You will also hear firsthand from a trafficking survivor as she shares her journey to freedom, bringing this topic home in a real way. Come and learn to “see the unseen.”
10:30 a.m. BREAK
10:45 a.m SESSION TWO (Speaker: Rebecca McDonald)
This session will explore common 21 lures used by sexual predators, discuss 21 trafficking flash points and the demographics in Western Michigan, and teach Homeland Security guidelines for Civilian Responders. The session will include interviews with law enforcement, teenage traffickers, Homeland Security, as well as a testimony about how one phone call rescued a woman and changed her life.
12:45 p.m. LUNCH
1:45 p.m. BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Choose from a variety of Breakout Sessions that will be led by various professionals involved in the fight against human trafficking. Session topics may include Counseling, Parenting, Pornography, Law Enforcement, Hospitality, Outreach, or Survivor Testimonies.
2:30 p.m. BREAK
2:50 p.m. SESSION THREE (Speaker: Rebecca McDonald)
In this session, you will learn how to use your knowledge to respond to a human trafficking situation. You’ll also uncover helpful and appropriate ways to talk to children about this sensitive subject. Come find out how to be a beacon of light in the darkness, and discover the hope that is ours as we fight against human trafficking.
4:30 p.m. Q&A – THE EXPERTS PANEL
The Panel: The day will end by a time of Q&A taken from your question cards and answered by our panel of session leaders, speakers and survivors.
Event registration and digital programs
Registration for this event can be found here, and closes Oct. 22. Ticket cost is $35 and includes lunch and handouts.
Those unable to attend the conference on Oct. 25 can check out the WAR, Int’l Digital Civilian First Responder Program here.
The Care Resources team often hears, “Now I don’t have to be so lonely!” when introducing participants, ages 55 years and older, to their very own digital dog or cat.
The digital companion is a care.coach Avatar™ on an easy-to-use tablet that provides 24/7 companionship, video visits, health monitoring, medication reminders and more. Measurable benefits include reductions in emergency room visits, falls, loneliness and depression that lead to improved health outcomes in older adults.
Remote health coaching and monitoring capabilities are valuable, in addition to providing social-emotional outcomes (Courtesy, pxhere.com)
Garth Falkins helped Care Resources – a Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly, or PACE® – first deploy care.coach during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic to support participants when in-person programs were suspended. Falkins says the remote health coaching and monitoring capabilities continue to be valuable today, in addition to the social-emotional outcomes.
“The device conducts daytime check-ins every few hours, engaging the participant to see if they are doing well, in addition to silent checks during evening hours for any noise or movement that could be cause for concern,” said Falkins, Recreational Therapy Manager at Care Resources.
“There’s a real person behind the avatar, not an artificial intelligence bot, on standby to interact with participants through the device so we can quickly get eyes on them and evaluate the situation.”
A complement to in-person services
At Care Resources, various technology-based devices are used to complement the wide array of in-person services the nonprofit provides to enable older adults to stay safe while living independently in their own homes. Falkins says the digital tools help staff better manage participants’ overall health, while providing caregivers greater reassurance about their loved one living independently.
“Technology is a valuable tool in our toolbox for older adults to promote healthy and independent living,” said Falkins. “At Care Resources, technology such as care.coach has served as an extension of our team, allowing us to continually assess needs and be more proactive, which is showing definite benefits.”
Those benefits include enhanced safety and peace of mind for both participants and their loved ones. With care.coach alone, Care Resources has achieved a nearly 80% reduction in ER visits and a 50% reduction in falls among participants.
Care Resources participant Helene interacts with the interactive game projection system called Tovertafel (Courtesy, Care Resources)
Care Resources also utilizes It’s Never 2 Late, or iN2L, by LifeLoop, which delivers wellness-focused digital content intended to engage older adults. This includes games, travel videos, worship content, music and more.
Care Resources uses iN2L to enhance social activity programming and therapy sessions to help participants have fun while reaching therapeutic goals at one of its two West Michigan day centers.
Yet another technology used by Care Resources is Tovertafel by Tover, an interactive game projection system that uses purposeful play to provide social, physical and cognitive stimulation for seniors living with dementia. Games can be played individually or in a larger group at the day center to promote movement, social interaction and happiness.
“iN2L and Tovertafel enhance our programming and can be utilized for various therapies and educational purposes,” Falkins said. “We’ve seen the technology help participants improve their mobility and hand-eye coordination, among other benefits.”
Additional digital resources
For those not in a program such as Care Resources, Falkins says cell phones, phone apps and smart watches are a few common tools he sees used by older adults and their loved ones for health and safety monitoring and social connection.
Cell phones can also be used to help aging adults (Courtesy, pxhere.com)
One popular product is the GrandPad, a tablet designed to help aging adults enjoy calls, photos, music and games. Falkins has also seen families equip virtual assistants such as Alexa and home monitoring systems to check on loved ones.
A word of caution
While technology can be a great tool for health care professionals and loved ones of older adults, Falkins cautions against entirely relying on it.
“Technology cannot replace the need for human connection and physical touch,” he said. “In-person visits, hugs and meaningful interactions will always be super important.”
Find out more!
For more information about Care Resources, call 800-610-6299 or visit CareResources.org.
For Deb Vazquez, being a volunteer for Emmanuel Hospice is about ensuring patients have “a friend in the end.” It is about providing a friendly face and a caring hand to hold, offering comfort and compassion at the end of life.
Volunteering is about providing a friendly face and a caring hand to hold (Courtesy, pxhere.com)
Vazquez began serving as a hospice volunteer earlier in 2025 – along with her husband Tony and their dog Cocoa – as a way to give back. Having experienced parents in hospice, most recently with Tony’s parents in Florida, the couple has seen the benefits of volunteering firsthand.
They found Emmanuel through an online search for hospice in their area and learned the nonprofit is always looking for new volunteers, especially pet visitors. They promptly signed up and completed the volunteer training, Cocoa included.
Vazquez said it has been incredibly rewarding for the whole family.
“The impact of pet visits is amazing,” she said. “Patients absolutely love Cocoa. She’s small enough to sit on people’s laps, and will gaze into their eyes. Patients like to talk or hum to her and pet her. Cocoa just has a great temperament and loves the attention.”
Simple gestures = Profound impact
In addition to visits with Cocoa, Vazquez meets patients one-on-one. In that capacity, she has found the simplest gestures can have a profound impact.
Patients recognize kindness even if they may not be able to talk back to volunteers (Courtesy, Adobe Stock)
“Just holding hands is huge,” said Vazquez. “A couple of patients love when I bring lavender-scented lotion to rub on their hands. It is sweet to see the calm it can bring to them.
“Talking to patients seems to make a difference, too. Even if they are noncommunicative, I’ll get a smile or a hand squeeze back that tells me they know someone is there for them and cares.”
Vazquez is intentional about learning about each person’s life story so she can find ways to personalize visits. Volunteer Coordinator Holly Salas said it is clear Vazquez “cares deeply” about the patients she sees.
“Deb goes above and beyond,” Salas said. “She brings patients treats and flowers, plays music for them and seeks out connection in any way she can. She recently reconnected one of our patients with family members, which was very meaningful to them.”
Childhood foods and marathon gaming
Having an interest in genealogy, Vazquez was eager to help the patient look into his family history and reconnected him with relatives.
“It started with connecting over foods he grew up with living on a farm like I did,“ Vazquez explained. “With permission from his dietitian, I was able to bring him food from his childhood. That brought up a lot of memories and family member names that he hadn’t been able to remember.
“It was just fantastic. You start with talking about something as innocuous as food we enjoyed as kids to find common ground, and then suddenly it’s opening doors to new ways to make someone’s day a little brighter.”
Simple things like food and games can spark long-forgotten memories (Courtesy, Adobe Stock)
Vazquez discovered another patient loves playing games. They now have a three-week game of Monopoly going. That patient also loves playing games with Cocoa.
“The patient will toss dog bones around her room, so Cocoa has to search them out,” Vazquez said. “She gets a real kick out of Cocoa doing this sort of hide and seek.”
Volunteer registration and orientation
To those interested in volunteering with a hospice organization, Vazquez said it is natural to wonder about what it will be like. However, Vazquez assures that any worries will be “far outweighed by the moments of joy you’ll bring.”
To learn more about volunteering with Emmanuel Hospice, email EHvolunteer@EmmanuelHospice.org or call 616-719-0919 and ask for Holly.
An in-person orientation to onboard new volunteers will be offered from 1-4 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 21 at the nonprofit’s Grand Rapids office.
The Kentwood Police Department is encouraging community members to take part in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 25.
The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Kentwood Police Department, 4742 Walma Ave. SE. KPD will collect tablets, capsules, patches and other solid forms of prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Liquid products, such as cough syrup, should remain sealed in its original container. The cap must be tightly sealed to prevent leakage. The event also will accept vaping devices and cartridges if lithium batteries are removed. Syringes, sharps and illicit drugs will not be accepted.
The national observance is part of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Take Back initiative. It aims to provide a safe, convenient and responsible way for community members to dispose of prescription drugs while also educating the public about the potential for abuse of medications.
“When community members properly dispose of medication, it helps prevent identity theft, accidental poisonings, drug addiction and overdose deaths, while keeping medication from polluting landfills and sewer systems,” Kentwood Police Chief Bryan Litwin said. “From saving a life to protecting the environment, participating in Drug Take Back Day is an impactful way residents can be part of our community effort.”
For individuals unable to attend the event, the Kentwood Police Department also has a year-round Drug Take Back Program. Community members can safely dispose of unused and/or expired prescription medications in the Kentwood Police Department’s lobby from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. To learn more about the program, visit kentwood.us/DrugTakeBack.
Kentwood National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. (Photo Courtesy, City of Kentwood)
Law enforcement agencies across the nation partner with the DEA to host Drug Take Back Day events every October and April as part of ongoing efforts to combat prescription drug misuse and overdose deaths. The events provide timely opportunities for residents to safely and securely dispose of unneeded medications to help address this public safety and public health issue. Studies have shown most abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet.
By Cris Greer WKTV Managing Editor/Sports Director greer@wktv.org
Check out the new and exciting football clips above from our latest Friday Night Highlights show.
Just like basketball season, every week we’ll bring you much of the local high school football home stadium action from the local varsity teams, highlight some top performers and their stats, give final scores, and show a snapshot of the latest conference standings in an exciting Friday Night Highlights show.
Look for our fast-paced local highlights show every Monday night! Thanks for tuning in.
WKTV Game of the Week
Year after year, our high-tech WKTV Truck Game of the Week includes two play-by-play announcers, an occasional field announcer and various camera angles with slow motion replays to capture all those great plays for your viewing pleasure.
You can count on our very experienced, exciting game announcers for both football and basketball to guide you through your local team’s games. If you are interested in volunteering at WKTV Sports for our Truck or Studio productions, please email me at greer@wktv.org
Game of the Week airs every Friday night on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 & AT&T U-Verse Channel 99 at 11 p.m. with a rebroadcast on Saturday at 11 a.m. You also can watch these games on our WKTV YouTube Channel.
