 By N3 Staff Busy weekend coming up, the first glimpse of June and many activities kicking into gear. Here are a few. The epic and abundant Hess Lake Yard Sales begin Friday morning and continue Saturday. Like junkin’? Grabbing a few of those items no longer of use for the sellers but are destined to find a home with you? This is the place to be, because lake folks tend to have limited room and from time to time have made the move from a larger home to a cottage or lake house with less storage than once enjoyed. In other words generally some good stuff. N3 World Headquarters once participated in this years ago and learned quickly to get over the hurt inflicted when a once treasured item that is marked down to next to nothing is bargained for but, hey, that’s what junkin’ is all about so if you’re hosting, set aside your pride and get rid of stuff. That’s the purpose of having one anyway, right? Of course this excludes the yard sales seemingly approaching their silver anniversary of being in business. Brooks Township is having their Trash Collection Day at the township office Saturday from 8am-2pm for township residents. A good place to get rid of stuff to be sure but when it comes to some of the nasty stuff? Saturday, also from 8am- 2pm is the Annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection the county’s gift to area residents as well as the environment. This event held at the NC Road Commission Building in White Cloud removes more unwanted materials from our area than one can even imagine. N3 staff will be on hand to help out in case any breaking news erupts at the site creating the need for a quick article or two. Check details on our home page. Perhaps the premier event of the year, the one that never fails to capture the imagination of those who attend is the Annual Russell. Gilbert Memorial Kids Free Fishing Day in White Cloud. Registration for the Saturday fish frenzy starts at 8am and fishing starts at 9. If you have never been it is nearly indescribable though we have tried each year to give it the accolades it truly deserves. This group of folks do it right and they do it on their own soliciting donations, organizing the activities surrounding it, and putting it on with an efficiency that is a marvel to behold, Lots and lots of smiles here. Check out their ad on our home page or visit them on facebook. Great event, great people, and the hands down cutest fishing tournament in the universe. And remember when its too hot to cook we have an abundance of enticing eateries about who likely are less frugal with their air conditioning than you might be.  Suggestion Box is sponsored by Newaygo Brewing Co. where good times await.
0 Comments
 By Alicia Jaimes
May 24, 2018. Grant High School Seniors became the graduating class of 2018. These seniors, now young adults, hold many hopes, dreams and visions for their future. Their family members are beaming with pride and nostalgia and can't contain their excitement when their loved one strides across the stage. Their time is done and the future is wide open. I wonder what they'll do with it. College? Work force? Army? I remember when I graduated and thought these were the only options available for the class of 2013. Boy, was I wrong. Coming up on my five-year reunion, I never would've guessed that my classmates would be married, pregnant, traveling in other countries, etc. These ideas were in the distant future. How I didn't know the future was right around the corner. I was 17 and full of nerve. I didn't want to further my education, I couldn't care less about the opinions of others and had no idea what to do with the empty canvas that now stood before me. I tossed my hat and tossed my cares. I was triumphant. So, there I was. At my grad party with lots of people congratulating me on what felt like the longest quest to my diploma. “What are you gonna do now?” I was asked. “Work.” I answered. Their smile would freeze as they’d half-heartedly nod and ask about the possibility of school. For the record: I don't hate school. I just had zero urge to go. I saw no point in wasting money going to a college when I had no idea what I wanted to do and didn't want to go in the first place. My family was disappointed, mad even, but I wasn't about to sacrifice my future for their version of my future. At my open house, I wanted to celebrate what I accomplished, not start dreading about what I'll do next. I didn't know what I wanted, but more importantly, I knew what I didn't want and that was good enough for me. I'm going to say this loud for the people in the back: It's okay not to want to go to school. It's okay to take a year off. It's okay to not know what you want to do for the rest of your life. It's okay to pause. So, I paused. I paused for a year and spent a LOT of time eating pizza rolls and binge-watching Grey's Anatomy. *recommended but also not recommended. You apparently don't have to be a freshman to earn the freshman 15. Ahem. I kept in touch with friends as they began their journeys in marriage, parenthood, college, etc. and saw their pictures on Facebook. They were happy. I was happy. Then, when my year of freedom was coming to an end, it happened. I awoke one day and found myself missing school. The thought of studying and learning and testing my education was welcoming. The thought of living on my own was exciting. I was ready. So, I applied to multiple colleges and chose Ferris State University as my next quest. Now, coming up on my five-year reunion and my final year at Ferris, I'm still asked: “Do you wish you would've gone to college from the start?” My answer is no. I wasn't ready. I may have took longer than other classmates but I believe that college isn't for everyone and you have to want to go in order to have a successful experience. If this means you have to take a year off to find yourself, that's okay. If this means you never go, that's okay. Celebrate what you've already accomplished. Have your party. You've earned it. Congratulations class of 2018.  By Ken DeLaat
“And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer.”- F. Scott Fitzgerald “The Great Gatsby” What is it about summer that seems to wash away troubles and spread a little slowdown on the landscape? And I do mean summer since those wonderful spring days we enjoyed after winter actually amounted to what seemed like a few hours and here we are with a stretch of 80+ days and without having even sniffed June yet. Maybe as Fitz opines in Gatsby, summer brings with it a new beginning. From the reappearance of green and the many colors in the floral explosion occurring daily there is a freshness to it. A little reprieve in what can often seem a difficult life. Struggles can be easily put aside when reclining on a warm patch of grass listening to the murmur of a river or creek. To stick one’s toes in a patch of lake water and feel its coolness contrast with summer heat is to be momentarily released from worry. And rain. Who among us cannot forgive rain when it comes to interrupt the task of the summer sun? After all it brings life and refreshment wherever it lands, it’s generally warm and it is always temporary. Summer days seem to indeed occupy a large majority of the best ones in memory. When my thoughts are temporarily transported back to childhood there exists the occasional Christmas scene or a school-related fragment or two floating about, but the bank is filled with deposits made in the summer. Those lengthy days of relative idleness when each day could bring a new adventure with friends, a sandlot ballgame or two, and hours spent sitting about in trees, on swings or alongside porches doing absolutely nothing. The ideal segment of life when one can be freed from educational obligations and yet remains too young to be tackling any real job other than the occasional lawn mowing. Like her sister seasons summer can have its shortfalls. It might be too hot for a spell here and there and there’s that mosquito thing that can drive one inside in lieu of a dousing of Deet. But there is a magic when it comes to this season. It may be a memory driven mindset with no basis in reality. After all with few exceptions our busy lives rarely slow down despite these gifts of meteorological gems being delivered to us nearly every day. Those mornings of waking and wondering what adventures might lie ahead take on a decidedly different tone when you’re no longer in those treasured early years. However with even the tiniest effort one can find it possible to put all that reality aside from time to time. To take a moment and drink it the richness of summer and all its glory. And when you do? A little slice of that magic returns.  River Country Festival highlights summer's first big weekend It’s here. This weekend it begins and it begins with a bang as The River Country Chamber tosses out the first ball in the glorious game known as summer with their traditional Memorial Weekend festivities in downtown Newaygo. As always, there a few new things on tap to pique the varied interests of visitors and Near Northians alike as well as the ever-popular annual activities. Purveyors plying their products at the arts and crafts show will give Brooks Park an infusion of humanity as folks meander about the lanes filled with purchasing options while nearby the kids carnival will be providing some fun for the kiddos. Action begins at 11am Friday, 10am Saturday and 11am on Sunday New this year is the Classic Car Showcase beginning at 5pm on Friday and giving auto aficionados a three hour window to admire some truly fine rides. These much vaunted vehicles will set up shop by the park at the corner of Wood and Justice.  We all need a little activity to shake loose some of that winter rust so from 5-6pm Friday get ready to experience a little Dance Fusion action as led from the Brooks Park stage by the folks from One Fit Life. This mixture of motion tosses in a smidge of Zumba a pinch of Pound and a dollop of Dance to create of a fun one hour group workout. Nothing like community calisthenics to boost our county’s health indicators so grab some workout duds and join in. Saturday morning the obligatory and always tasty pancake breakfast that accompanies such events will be held at the United Methodist Church starting at 8am and at 10am just down the road from breakfast a special book signing event will be held at Flying Bear Books. See our page for details. https://www.nearnorthnow.com/news/local-hero-local-author  If you have not discovered the treasure that is the Newaygo County Museum and Heritage Center please do yourself a favor and give it a visit while you’re downtown this weekend. They will be hosting some fun (and free) activities Friday Saturday and Sunday with more info here: https://www.newaygocountyhistory.org/ They’re located across from the park and have developed some very cool exhibits and programming. A very worthy stop. And yes, there will be sidewalks sales as the downtown merchants create opportunities for a little al fresco shopping.. While roaming the streets make sure to stop at one of the fine local eatatoriums located downtown. And speaking of eats, as we so often do at N3 World Headquarters….. Hit The Road Joe in Croton is doing one of their summertime rib dinners-to-go Friday night. I should seriously not be doing this but while the risk for some to go ribless is a distinct one the desire to share good news about food often clouds my judgement so here it is. From 5-7pm they will be packaging up some mighty fine BBQ smoked ribs. Tossed in for good measure are two sides from a selection of slaw, potato salad and baked beans. Topped off with a slice of really really good cornbread and Friday night dinner is a no brainer. Fourteen bucks out the door. Up to you to find them, though. We’re willing to let you in on some of these hidden gems but in all fairness other folks had to find their way there so…..
Also on Saturday is the Fremont Fly In and Pancake Breakfast. Fly in is from 8AM-2PM and the pancake breakfast is from 8AM-11AM at , of course, the airport.. The cost of the pancake breakfast is $8. Kids 4 and under eat free. There will be airplane and helicopter rides starting at $35 for an Adult and $25 for Kids. There will also be a car show, RC cars, and RC planes. A few years back Dan Booker graciously took me on my first aeronautic jaunt that involved less than a 727 during a visit to the Fly-In. It was that moment I discovered an overwhelming desire to obtain a pilot’s license , an aspiration arriving a few decades too late to truly embrace the notion. There’s plenty going on in our parts and the true beauty of it all? We’ve only just begun.  Suggestion Box is sponsored by Newaygo Brewing Co. a great place to kick off a summer weekend.  Cirque Amongus will provide “Circus Day” at the Dogwood Center on Friday, June 22 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The one-day Circus Camp will introduce children, ages 6-12 years old, to a range of circus skills. There will definitely be an abundance of fun as participants laugh and giggle while they ride unicycles and tiny bikes, walk a tightrope or with stilts, jump rope, do magic tricks, stay atop a rolling barrel, swing on a trapeze, or learn to juggle.
In the morning, students will learn each of the 10 different circus acts. After lunch, they chose their favorite and spend the afternoon perfecting it and putting together an act with other participants, assisted by Cirque Amongus instructors and volunteers. At the end of the day, when their families come back, the whole troupe puts on a show with their newly found skills. The daylong program by Cirque Amongus, a Livonia company that brings all the equipment and instructors for “Circus Day”, will promote teamwork, self-esteem and fun throughout the day. The program is funded in part by a grant from the Michigan Humanities Council and Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs. The cost for the day is $30 per child. Children must be ages 6-12 years old to participate and the program will be limited to 50 participants. It will be a full day of activities between 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. and followed immediately with a performance for the families at pick-up time. Children will need to bring a sack lunch. Light snacks will be provided mid-morning and mid-afternoon. Advance registration is required. Register at www.dogwoodcenter.com, through the Dogwood Box Office, or downtown Fremont at NCCA-Artsplace. The Dogwood Center Box Office is open Tuesday - Friday, 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. For information, phone 231.924.8885.  An exhibit at the Grand Rapids Public Museum with a new twist By Alicia Jaimes Photos by Alicia Jaimes I had the opportunity to visit the Grand Rapids Public Museum’s new exhibit Zoo in You. Kids were swarming as they jumped around on camera with the green screen in the background. Parents were interacting with their children in games and fun activities, all while learning about the trillions of microbes that our bodies host. The Zoo in You exhibit was created by the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry and is currently on tour. Because of this, Director of Marketing Christie Bender is excited to have this educational exhibit in Grand Rapids, Michigan. “The exhibit is filled with interactives from games, to puzzles, to digital screens and more. Great for the entire family, you will build viruses, race the clock to match DNA strands, become a newscaster to talk about your body’s inner workings and so much more,” Bender said. From videos to puzzles, there were many opportunities to learn how to be healthier when it comes to personal hygiene. One activity showed how long is an appropriate time to wash your hands and how many bacteria are washed away with every second.....but are they ever truly all gone? Along with this fun station is another where kids can run about trying to catch things falling from the sky, but with an interesting twist. My favorite part of this museum was that it is bilingual for those who speak both English and Spanish--making it accessible to more community members and also gave me a chance to practice my own Spanish. If you are someone looking for something fun to do with your younger kids, then check out this new exhibit. It's a great mixture of education and excitement. The Zoo in You exhibit will be available through September 2, 2018. “It is a great summer exhibit with all of the hands-on interactives that will engage families, including children of all ages,” Bender said. “The hands-on science is so much fun, you won’t realize how much you are learning.” The exhibit is free with a general admission. Prices for non-members are: Adults - $8, Seniors - $7, Students - $3 and Children - $3. (Children 2 and under are FREE. Seniors ages 62 & older. Children ages 3-17. Students must show valid school ID). For more information, visit grpm.org/zooinyou.  An Indigenous Peoples' History Of The United States Book Review By Alexis Mercer I started reading An Indigenous Peoples’ History Of The United States this past winter. It is one of the most painful books I have ever read. And not because it is poorly written, is boring, or is lacking in any way. It is a fascinating book with details that are astounding. It is one of the most painful books I have ever read because it tells the tale of the utter devastation that was brought upon the Indigenous people of the land in order to found what we know as the United States of America. Not only did it take me an exorbitant amount of time to read due to my wanting to soak in the terribly sad details on each page, but I have also put off writing the book review for as long as possible. It is the kind of book that settles in your brain and you want to keep those thoughts to yourself for awhile. It seems that everything I started to write about the book was cliché and ignorant on my behalf. There is so much I didn’t know about the founding of this country. And I was a good student in American History in high school! Granted, it has been a while. But I have always loved reading. I did well in school. The details in this book are the details that aren’t included in textbooks. My brother in law saw that I was reading this book when we were together over spring break. He attended a private school on the East Coast for high school. He told me that this book was one of the many books they read in lieu of a textbook. I found myself wishing that had been me. I feel as though I was lied to all those years ago. There are details and facts in this book that every American should read and consider. The author, Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, takes the reader through eleven chapters of the founding of the United States of America as known by the indigenous people and those who studied it from this angle. Some of the topics include the “Culture of Conquest”, “The Last of the Mohicans and Andrew Jackson’s White Republic”, and “US Triumphalism and Peacetime Colonialism.” Within the first few pages I picked up a highlighter and began to mark the lines I found most significant. My book is full of marks. And I can guarantee if I went back and read it again, I would find varying lines to highlight that are significant in other ways than my original read. “Incapable of conquering true wilderness, the Europeans were highly competent in the skill of conquering other people, and that is what they did. They did not settle a virgin land. They invaded and displaced a resident population.” (Dunbar-Ortiz 47) What is certain is that this book has changed the way I view the world. Not the people who are currently residing in the United States, or how they view our country. But I am thankful for this new perspective and ability to deliberate on my own thoughts of our country, government, and founding principles. I couldn’t more highly recommend a book to anyone. Just give yourself plenty of time to read and process. Don’t be afraid to set it down for a while, read a piece of fiction that requires little thought, and come back to it after you have given your brain a break from the thoroughly explained devastation of the Indigenous people. For those of you who are in or near Newaygo County, copies are available for purchase at Flying Bear Books in Newaygo.   Newaygo students who helped create the Little Free Library Little Free Library at Newaygo Elementary With only weeks left until summer vacation, 4th graders Anayaslin Alvarez, Jesus Ceja, Joseline Sanchez, Allen Chen, Phoebe Brockway, Jennifer Guevara, and Anthony Barajas built a Little Free Library on the new playground at Velma Matson Elementary. The idea came when these 4th graders wanted to provide their community with more books to read. Their teacher, Mrs. Ratliff, helped them to make a plan and wrote a grant through the Fremont Area Community Foundation to help fund the idea. The 4th graders had to research facts on illiteracy, take surveys on favorite books, ask community members for help, present their idea to the NPS Board of Education and even plan a Grand Opening for the Free Little Library. The Little Free Library provides students and community members access to books when school is closed. It is perfect timing with summer vacation just around the corner! This mini library provides students a place for books that can be taken, returned, or donated for others to read. Community members can donate their gently used books by placing them in the Little Free Library. It’s that easy! The library is always open! Come take a book, or leave a book today! A huge thank you to the following community members for their help and support: -Fremont Area Community Foundation -Matt Walker, Christman Construction -Brad Erikson, Sherwin Williams -Derek Ratliff, DSR Painting -Bud Gould, NPS maintenance department -Kimberly Harstad, Little Free Library  There is nothing like a Friday night filled with some really good live music while kissing the work week goodbye with an adult beverage or two, right? Well then tonight’s concert at the club-like atmosphere of the Dogwood Center’s Black Box is right up your alley with a pair of performers who each possess pipes of distinction. Sarah Potenza and Meghan Linsey will have the crowd energized as they pound out some serious soulful sound. Great date night fun. Check out the article and call for a couple tickets. https://www.nearnorthnow.com/features-and-fun/sarah-potenza-and-meghan-linsey-at-the-dogwood-center-on-may-18 This is actually for next weekend since we’re all just kind of in practice for Memorial Day anyway, but the River Country Chamber folks are looking for volunteers who would be willing to help out for a few hours at the upcoming event in Brooks Park. It’s a chance to meet some cool folks and be a part of one of the signature festivals of our area. Not a huge time commitment an outstanding people watching perspective and hanging out with folks who tend to be on the fun and friendly side of things. Besides maybe they need help at the car show right? How do you grab hold of this golden opportunity? Call the Chamber office and tell them you were sent by N3. They might pretend to not know who we are but they will still find you a spot and from past experience you might find yourself pitching in at future fetes. Don’t forget the free family fun event with a focus on safety Saturday at Tamarac. Here’s some info https://www.nearnorthnow.com/features-and-fun/free-event-at-tamarac-saturday Saturday night take a drive to GR for some comedy with a little local connection as N3 columnist, domestic goddess, and soon to be swimming pool matron Megan Wirts will be performing at the Lass Laugh Comedy Festival at the Dog Story Theater located downtown at 7 S. Jefferson (near One Trick Pony) This two hour event will be a showcase of Standup, Improv, and Sketch Comedy acts from all over Michigan and Chicago. Comedy by women, for everyone. Lass Laugh Comedy Festival Lass Laugh Comedy Festival: Saturday Night. Now go grab some fun Near Northians and get prepared because regardless of what the calendar says, summer starts next weekend. And you’re going to need to be ready.  Suggestion Box is sponsored by Newaygo Brewing Co. where great times are always on tap Fire trucks and family fun headline free Gerber Memorial health & safety festival
Fremont – Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial will feature fire trucks, crash scene demonstrations, free screenings and family fun activities such as children’s bounce houses and an inflatable kids’ slide – at its Health and Safety Day at Tamarac, 1401 West Main Street, Fremont on May 19. The event is free and the public is invited to join in the fun and informative event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. “Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial is thrilled to host our Health and Safety Day to showcase information that can keep families safe, and offer fun activities for the whole family,” said Josh Gustafson, director of community health. “Gerber Memorial is grateful to our community partners for taking part in Health and Safety Day, and for helping promote safety and wellness in Newaygo County. This event really is for our community so they can learn about the great work our first responders and health professionals do, and have a fun day out with the family.” In addition to checking out fire trucks and other emergency vehicles from the Fremont Fire Department, visitors to the event can also see what it’s like to drive while distracted through a simulator provided by the Newaygo County Sheriff’s office and the Michigan State Police. Fun activities for the whole family include:
|
Features and FunConcerts, Plays, Happenings, Local Recipes, Gardening, Entertainment, Charities, Fundraisers, upcoming events, Theater, Activities, Tech, and much more. Archives
October 2024
Categories“We don’t have a choice on whether we do social media, the question is how well we do it.”
- Eric Qualman |
RSS Feed