Stories

Feature Story A high jumper competes in the 2024 Hartford Nationals.

West Michigan to Host 2025 and 2026 National Adaptive Sports Championship

Grand Rapids will host the 2025 and 2026 Hartford Nationals, showcasing adaptive athletes and highlighting the city’s commitment to accessibility, inclusivity, and world-class sporting events.

Feature Story Experience the sights and sounds of Civil War battles during the popular Van Raalte Farm Civil War Muster, taking place Sept. 21-22 on the farm property in Holland.

September things to do: Labor Day, runs, climbs, history, film, music, and a Civil War muster

Highlights for this month include an Irish music festival, an international festival, tree-climbing championships, run/walks, and a symphony performance. There’s also art, movies, history, and craft shows.

Feature Story A Herrick District Library patron uses the AI Playground in Groundworks. The playground will be open through mid-September.

Library offers chance to explore AI

Anyone can find out more about artificial intelligence by playing around with different AI platforms at the Groundworks AI Playground in Herrick District Library’s downtown location.  

Feature Story The  DeVos Institute of Arts Management fosters collaboration among local arts and culture organizations.

How a capacity-building program is transforming arts organizations on the Lakeshore

A dozen Lakeshore arts and cultural organizations from South Haven to Grand Haven are celebrating achievements after participating in a two-year comprehensive capacity-building program.

Feature Story At Atlas Headrest, Andrew Foley continues the legacy of innovation of his late father, Dennis Foley

Carrying the torch: Son expands his father’s legacy of Innovation

At Atlas Headrest, Andrew Foley continues the legacy of innovation of his late father, Dennis Foley, building on a foundation of design excellence to create ergonomic accessories in West Michigan.

Feature Story The once-bustling Pine Trail campsite, which has been closed since 2021, might soon be repurposed as Saugatuck Township's first public waterfront park.

Historic summer camp could become Saugatuck Township’s first public waterfront park

Saugatuck Township has a $3.6 million bond on the November ballot for the purchase of the historic Pine Trail Camp property, which would become the community's first  waterfront park.  

Feature Story Victoria Bernhardt, owner of “Little Miss Green Thumb,” and her family have renovated a historic Muskegon church to become "The Corner," a family-friendly commercial and event space.

Family revitalizes historic church in downtown Muskegon into ‘The Corner’

A historic church in downtown Muskegon is revitalized by the Bernhardt family, who are transforming it into "The Corner," a family-friendly commercial and event space.  

Feature Story coopersvillebrewing

How one rural Michigan brewery created community

When Jeremy Grossenbacher decided to open his own craft brewery in his hometown of Coopersville, he knew he wanted to create something more than a place to grab a cold brew. He wanted to create community. 

Feature Story Students formed five-person teams, each tasked with identifying a “wicked problem”—a complex issue with no easy solution.

West Michigan teens tackle ‘wicked’ problems at the Wege High School Collaborative Studio

West Michigan high school students tackle complex global issues at the Wege High School Collaborative Studio. The two-week program showcases the power of youth-driven sustainable design.

Feature Story Isabelle Buckler, a senior at Kendall College was a user experience intern at Gentex this summer.of Art and Design of Ferris State University,

Classrooms to Careers: Gentex interns shape company

Isabelle Buckler, a senior at Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University, channeled her classroom experience into her role as a user experience intern this summer.   

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HSO’s new CEO brings big orchestra experience to Holland

Michael Naess has worked for organizations such as the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Carnegie Hall, and the Grand Rapids Symphony.    

Feature Story Vander Meulen Builders

A century of craftsmanship: Family firm celebrates 100 years of building homes

Vander Meulen Builders, a fourth-generation family-owned construction firm, is celebrating a century of building custom homes for the Lakeshore community. 

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Saugatuck resident Meena Ariagno brings global perspectives to podcasting

Saugatuck resident Meena Ariagno, an Indian-American immigrant with roots extending from Uganda to London, is giving people in West Michigan a global platform with her podcast series. 

Feature Story Small-Amanda-Chappell

Program cultivates next generation of Allegan County community leaders

The Allegan County Leadership Program is accepting applications from residents eager to make a difference in their community. The program is designed for those passionate about leadership and community development.

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Big Read Lakeshore explores identity, the American dream in this year’s book selections

The Big Read Lakeshore will feature a diverse book selection, over 150 events across three counties, and author visits by Pedro Martin and Yuyi Morales.

Feature Story SMALL-emerging-workforce-panel

Lakeshore Advantage launches survey in effort to keep young talent in the region

By targeting this key demographic, the Lakeshore Emerging Worker Survey seeks to understand both the attractions and obstacles of life in the region. 

Feature Story Neighborhood Connector Lori Appeldoorn pauses at one of many welcoming stops along Central Avenue. This one, in front of JJ's on the corner of Central and 16th Street, includes yard games, lighting, and picnic benches for neighborhood gatherings.

Eastcore looks to artistic future with neighborhood improvements, mural festival

The Eastcore neighborhood in Holland's central city is undergoing a major shift thanks, primarily, to the combined efforts of neighbors and the nonprofit 3Sixty. The neighborhood's second annual mural festival next month will celebrate all those successes and add to them.

Feature Story Naomi Timmerman’s journey from breastfeeding challenges to a bountiful supply is a testament to maternal resilience.

How support helps mom transform breastfeeding struggles into a success story

Throughout National Breastfeeding Month in August, Holland Hospital is emphasizing the crucial role support groups play in a mother’s breastfeeding journey.

Feature Story The new Commongrounds building on Eighth Street in Traverse City.

Commongrounds uses co-op model to serve missing needs of the community

Traverse City's Commongrounds is a mixed-use building, offering affordable housing, co-working space, a coffee shop, child education center, and performance venue. It's the first real estate cooperative in northern Michigan.

Longform Produce from the Youth Mentor Garden at Marquette Park in Wyoming, Mich.

Youth Mentor Gardens grow food, family, and community in Detroit and Grand Rapids area

At two Youth Mentor Gardens, participating teens and their families work together to plant, weed, water, mulch, and harvest produce.