Stories

Feature Story From the top of Mount Pisgah, you can look out over Lake Macatawa and Lake Michigan. (Photo by Mike Lozon)

What to do in September? 9 fun ways to explore the Lakeshore

September brings the last throes of summer, offering Ottawa County residents and visitors plenty of interesting and engaging places to explore. This list includes options for everyone, regardless of age, ability, or interest.

Feature Story Megan

Why the census really counts: How Michigan’s district maps affect your local communities

The census plays a significant role in determining funding and resources for communities, but it also impacts the map that divides the state into districts. These maps can affect the political process and representation, which is why the census count is so important.

Feature Story Yasisi

Cómo afectan los mapas de los distritos de Michigan a nuestras comunidades

El censo juega un papel importante en la determinación de fondos y recursos para las comunidades, y al mismo tiempo incide en el mapa que divide al estado en distritos. Estos mapas pueden determinar el proceso político y la representación, por eso el conteo del censo es tan importante.

Feature Story Andy Rozendaal (left) and John Puttrich (right) comprise the leadership team and are Eighth Day Farm's two full time employees.

Eighth Day Farm makes big impact from its small urban setting

With a philosophy of caring for Earth and the people who inhabit it, Eighth Day Farm provides produce for CSA members and the food insecure in the Holland community from a former mall parking lot. The farm’s influence also includes composting, support for local growers, and connecting the next generation to the food cycle.

Feature Story Gentex engineer Elliot Busta volunteers weekly at the Holland Middle School greenhouse, teaching students about STEM.

Gentex engineer teaches STEM skills at student greenhouse

Elliot Busta volunteers once a week teaching Holland Middle School students about STEM, providing a positive role model, and leading harvesting tours. He says he learns as much from the students as he teaches them.

Feature Story Jake Tebos, (left) wholesale grower of potting plants in Allendale, discusses issues unique to his niche in the marketplace with Secretary Perdue (right).

West Michigan farmers share concerns with USDA Secretary

Sonny Perdue hosted meetings with growers and other stakeholders in Ottawa and Kalamazoo counties. Those in attendance talked to and heard from the USDA chief about topics ranging from trade to invasive species.

Longform Helen Paige, a parent partner in the pilot program.

State of Michigan and Detroit nonprofit team up to reduce child abuse through proactive support

A new pilot program identifies families at risk and pairs them with peer mentors and benefits navigators, getting the state more involved in addressing the root causes of child abuse.

Feature Story Nelson Figueroa

U-M is next stop for Promise Scholar with a passion for the environment

Growing up in a single-parent home taught this 2020 Holland High School graduate independence and resilience. Nelson Figueroa believes those attributes will serve him well at U-M, where he plans to study environmental engineering.

Feature Story Jenn

Pop-ups, functional medicine, & social distancing: Local culinary entrepreneur innovates amid crises

As COVID-19 continues to impact the culinary world, Jenn Fillenworth is taking the small and big steps to serve fresh, tasty food in new and interesting ways. With so much unknown, there's one thing for certain: you can't stop Jenny with the Good Eats.

Feature Story The 2020 Promise Scholar class includes 10 hard-working local students who now can realize their dream of a college education.

How 2020 class of Promise Scholarship recipients are pursuing their dreams

The Holland/Zeeland Promise is a renewable scholarship program aimed at giving students the financial boost they need to further their education. The program will allow these 10 hard-working Lakeshore students to attend college in the fall.

Feature Story Ciana Witherell identifies as non-binary, which is a spectrum of gender identities that are not exclusively feminine or masculine.

Moving beyond the gender binary

GVSU student Ciana Witherell explains why it’s time to stop seeing gender as black and white — or pink and blue. The lines of gender continue to blur, making it increasingly important to avoid assuming others’ gender and stop invalidating the identity of gender non-binary individuals, they say. 

Partner Content Kids running

Physical literacy is a movement that's catching fire

Michigan Fitness Foundation staff are leading a revision of the K-12 Exemplary Physical Education Curriculum (EPEC), which aims to drive kids' physical literacy journeys in the same way that math class is the driver of numeracy.

Feature Story Alex

Published Together: Community storytelling in the time of COVID-19

"To date we have collected and shared 367 stories, photographs, videos, poems, songs, executive orders, paintings, homemade masks, and more. Some are uplifting, others depressing, some are simply factual documentation of events through the eyes of the donor," writes Alex Forist, Chief Curator at the Grand Rapids Public Museum in this detailed op-ed. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Museum is working to collect and publish community stories in real-time.

Feature Story Tammy Dockins has been in the health and fitness industry for more than 30 years.

How this personal trainer adapted to life in quarantine

Tammy Dockins has been interested in fitness for as long as she can remember. Though “not friendly with technology,” she found ways to make it work so she could help others during the pandemic.

Development News La Lucha

City of Grand Rapids funding housing assistance via La Lucha Fund

The City of Grand Rapids is providing up to $250,000 for rent and mortgage assistance to Grand Rapids residents meeting Grand Rapids Community Foundation’s La Lucha Fund eligibility requirements. Residents impacted by COVID-19 can apply for funds and receive up to $500 of rent or mortgage assistance for their households.

Feature Story Grand Haven writer Melanie Hooyenga has published seven books.

Local author’s latest novel is flashback to simpler times: the summer of 2017

Grand Haven resident Melanie Hooyenga is an award-winning author who has published seven books. Her latest is a young adult contemporary romance set around the August 2017 “Great American Eclipse.” 

Feature Story Roby

New superintendent discusses virtual reopening plan

New GRPS Superintendent Dr. Leadriane Roby, Ph.D. took up her position just six weeks ago on July 1, and sat down with Rapid Growth to reflect on the challenges of leading a school district in the middle of a pandemic.

Feature Story The Epic Swim Team: Todd Suttor, Jon Ornée, Jeremy Sall, Nick Hobson, Dave Ornée, and Matt Smith

How 6 friends made ‘Epic Swim’ across Lake Michigan

After months of planning and training, six West Michigan men recently took a swim — across the Big Lake. The relay team made the almost 55-mile journey in just under 21 hours, setting a new record. 

Innovation News Mel Trotter

Community Partners Medical Clinic at Mel Trotter: Unique collaboration serves GR’s homeless

Mel Trotter Ministries is partnering with three hospital systems and two universities to offer free medical services to its clients who are experiencing homelessness. Community Partners Medical Clinic at Mel Trotter has brought together Mercy Health Saint Mary’s, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, Spectrum Health, Michigan State University – College of Human Medicine, and Grand Valley State University’s Kirkhof College of Nursing to treat acute and chronic conditions with the goal of reducing both gaps in care and unnecessary EMS and emergency room use.

Partner Content Fannie Johnson.

Fresh Conversations program helps Detroit seniors change dietary and fitness habits for the better

The Methodist Children's Home Society runs Fresh Conversations program sessions at community centers and other sites in Detroit, with the goal of helping seniors change their diet and fitness routines to curtail chronic diseases and promote healthy aging.