The Suggestion Box: 4th of July Weekend By N3 Entertainment Squad Whoa! 4th of July weekend? Now? I’m not ready. There’s still preparations to be made. We’ve got potato salad to toss together, charcoal to buy, bunting to display, and all kinds of things that need to be in place for this, the Really Big Weekend of the summer. And a 4 day one at that if you're fortunate enough to have Monday off. Hey, there are lots of doings throughout the area and the M-37 traffic will be buzzing. Want to see what the rise of tourism in our climes looks like? Take a seat at one of the downtown Newaygo ‘refreshing respite from the road’ establishments during the next 4 days and notice how many folks patronizing these places wear unfamiliar faces. Nice to see. Fireworks? According to sources there are a number of venues on a number of days. July 3rd you can watch over Fremont Lake, the 4th is, of course... Jennifer Dornbush will be signing copies of her book God Bless the Broken Road on Thursday July 6th from 3-5pm at Flying Bear Books in downtown Newaygo God Bless the Broken Road is the story about Amber Hill's struggles as a war widow and single mom of a 9 year old daughter, Bree. She followed a path down a broken road after the death of her husband in Afghanistan until she realized what her life needed was faith as small as a mustard seed, so she cried out to God for help along that broken path. Amber then is forced to decide between the broken road she knows so well or trusting that God will provide a new path. This heartbreaking, yet uplifting story of hope and grace is a must read for anyone who may also be struggling with issues and problems along a broken road. Jennifer,the daughter of Ron and Gail Graeser, grew up in Fremont. She has also written the movie by the same title as the book which is scheduled for release in 2018 and was filmed here in Michigan in 2016. Books will be available for sale at Flying Bear, or bring your already purchased copy for Jennifer to sign. Rocks Fill Newaygo County Residents With Joy
By Alexis Mercer There is a phenomenon passing through Newaygo County and it involves, of all things, rocks. I pulled into the bank the other day in Newaygo, rather in a rush to get my errands done with two kids in the back seat. My day immediately became a whole lot more joyful when I spotted a painted rock on top of the drive through tube. A few weeks ago I got a recommendation to add a group on Facebook called “Rockin Newaygo County” and decided to see what it was all about. If it weren’t for that, I would have thought the rock was misplaced or I may not have paid it any attention. Instead I knew that this rock had been painted with love and placed intentionally with care for someone else to find. Kimberly Howland was on a family vacation when she heard about this nationwide movement to paint rocks, place them around the community and hopefully bring joy to those who found them. It brought her own family so much joy to find the rocks that she decided to bring it back to Newaygo County. So once school got out (Kimberly works for Fremont Public Schools), she was looking for something fun to do that wouldn’t cost a lot of money. And so began #rockinNC. Kimberly is now affectionately known by many as the “Rock Lady,” a term she finds endearing. And her Facebook group quickly grew in a month to nearly 1,400 people. The idea is quite simple. Paint a rock (or ten) in any design. Cover it with a sealant of some kind to protect it from the elements. Go out into Newaygo County somewhere and place the rock in a place you think it could be found. Then go search for other rocks. You can choose to re-hide those you find or keep them if you like, but make sure you post a picture of the rocks you find on the Facebook page! “I love being able to go out and hunt with my kids to find ones we didn't paint ourselves. Our parks are getting more use, and people are picking up trash when they find it so it isn't confused for a rock, and I'm really proud of that. My goal was to put Newaygo County on the map for something positive and it’s working,” said Kimberly of the whole project. Just remember to follow the rules so that everyone can enjoy the fun in a positive way. The rules are posted below directly from the Rockin Newaygo County page itself. So if you are driving through the bank with forty items on your to-do list and you come across a painted rock, take a minute to slow down, smile, and enjoy the movement that is sweeping Newaygo County. Rules for Rockin Rocks: 1. If you find a rock, you may keep it, or hide it again, but take a picture and post it here and show us you found it! Please keep in mind that there arts over 1100 members out hunting for rocks. Please keep it fair and keep your finds to a minimum, and replace or rehide asap. 2. If you re-hide it, make sure it's visible, don't hide it in or under something, and make sure it's someplace easy to get to, safe, and not in a place(inside a building) where it could be considered a nuisance. Do not hide in Any area that needs to be mowed or maintained by equipment. IT CANNOT BE HIDDEN INSIDE A BUILDING, BURIED, OR INSIDE ANYTHING. 3. If you paint your own to hide, remember the following: Keep it family friendly IT MUST BE SEALED WITH A CLEAR COAT OF SOME KIND. GLUE WILL NOT WORK! Please no advertisements Make sure it says "rockin Newaygo County on facebook" or #rockinNC Keep it fun, safe, and involve the whole family! DUE TO UNHAPPY CIRCUMSTANCES, ADDED PEOPLE WILL NO LONGER BE APPROVED. ALL MEMBERS MUST ASK TO JOIN THEMSELVES. ANY NEGATIVE POSTS OR COMMENTS OF ANY KIND WILL BE DELETED AND RESULT IN REMOVAL FROM THE GROUP. Happy hunting and happy hiding! The Rough and Tumble, an Americana-folk duo, will bring their harmonies and versatile instrumentation to the Dogwood Black Box on Thursday, July 13 at 7:30 p.m. The Rough and Tumble used to say they were from Nashville, Tennessee. That was before April 2015 when members Mallory Graham and Scott Tyler sold everything, paid their last month's rent, bought a camper, and took to the road full time. The duo, along with their 97 pound dog, Butter, have been touring the country for more than four years. The folk-Americana, close-harmony pair have been known to vary their instruments from classic acoustic guitar and harmonica to melodicas and homemade shakers made from wine bottles, all set to their original songwriting that has been described as "quirky, haunting, and deliberate." With three EP's under their belt, a double album called The Rough & Tumble's Holiday Awareness Campaign, which highlights the unappreciated holidays in an ambitious songwriting feat, and a short film soundtrack called Pieces and Pieces that was released in 2016, The Rough and Tumble have kept busy on and off the road. You can find The Rough and Tumble at www.theroughandtumble.com, with their music is also available on iTunes and Spotify. Tickets are $12.50 and are available through the Dogwood Center Box Office, NCCA-Artsplace in downtown Fremont, or on-line at www.dogwoodcenter.com. For information, phone 231.924.8885. The Dogwood Center is located one mile east of downtown Fremont. The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) will open their doors free of charge on Sunday, July 16 from12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors will receive free general admission on this day to explore the Museum’s three floors of core exhibits at no cost. The GRPM offers fun, hands-on learning opportunities for all ages through a variety of core and traveling exhibits. Visitor favorites include the Streets of Old Grand Rapids, an immersive exhibit that transports visitors back to 19th century of downtown Grand Rapids, and West Michigan Habitats, that showcases the vast wildlife found in West Michigan. “We are excited to be able to offer the community the chance to explore the Museum free of charge again this year,” said Kate Moore, Vice President of Marketing & PR at the GRPM. “The GRPM continues to be the West Michigan hub for hands-on science, history and cultural education, and continue to increase access to the Collections for all.” Additional experiences for visitors include Mindbender Mansion, planetarium shows and the Museum’s 1928 Spillman Carousel, that are available for an additional charge. Museum members receive free admission to all current offerings at the Museum. The free day will be held during the Museum’s normal hours, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, July 16. For more information on the event, visit grpm.org. Mindbender Mansion Visitors to Mindbender Mansion are greeted by the wacky Mr. E., master brainteaser and puzzler extraordinaire to explain the mysteries of Mindbender Mansion, then set out to gather hidden clues and secret passwords. Throughout the exhibit visitors will find a combination of tabletop brainteasers they can solve on their own and larger group challenges that require assistance from their fellow mansion guests. Upon completing each of the select brainteasers and group challenges, visitors will see if they gathered the necessary clues and passwords to become a member of the Mindbender Society and add their portrait to the “Wall of Fame.” Admission to Mindbender Mansion on the free day will be $2 per person and free to Museum members. Mindbender Mansion was produced and is toured by the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, Portland, Oregon © 2009. Celebration taking place along Croton Pond In the spirit of a long history of epic Independence Day observations in the patriotic community of Croton and following a one year sabbatical due to causeway construction, Freedom Fest returns to bring a celebratory spirit to the Pond. N3 posed a few questions the River Country Chamber Executive Director Colleen Lynema to gather a little info on the upcoming event to be held Saturday July 8th. N3-What can folks expect from the event? CL-GREAT MUSIC! Mane Street Band a local favorite GREAT FOOD! Old Iron will have BBQ and DD MacGee's Grill will be on hand with hot dogs & hamburgers (still looking for a great popcorn and/or cotton candy vendor). GOOD STUFF TO DRINK! We are doing a double sided beer tent this year with Local Craft Beers & for the folks who have more traditional beer tastes we will have the Bud, Bud Light varieties provided to the Chamber by Tyler Sales. There will also be lemonade available compliments of Old Orchard. There are still some opportunities for street vendors and those interested can please call or email the Chamber Office 231.652.3068 or [email protected]. N3-This is the second time the Chamber has done FF (causeway construction issues last year). How will this year be different from the first? CL-After our inaugural year we received great feedback from the participants and the Croton residents on how to make this event even better. This has resulted in a smaller footprint, leaving room for those who don't want to be in the fenced in CauseWay Freedom Festival Event area but still want to enjoy the fireworks from the Causeway as well as the pedestrian traffic bypass along The Edge trail. We have also met with local business owners on ways to include them in this years event. As in the past, bring your chair, blanket, family & friends, we have food, beverages (alcoholic & non) and great music. This year the committee has committed part of the proceeds from the event to go to the 2018 Fireworks Committee. N3 How much is it to get in and can I bring a cooler with my own adult beverages? CL- Freedom Fest is free. State regulations prohibit bringing in beverages. All adults over 21 can obtain a wristband to purchase beer. Wristbands will be provided when id's have been checked and beer tent tokens can being purchased. All street vendors will take cash. N3-Where do I park and what time will the causeway be closed? CL-Parking in Croton for the fireworks, the parade and this event is very limited. In the past it has been anywhere you can find it, but make sure that it isn't against the law or on private property. If you don’t mind a little walk before the festivities Conklin Park near the fire station or the DuChemin parks near Croton Dam may have available spaces Please be respectful of private property. The causeway will close to thru traffic for the Walter F. Howarth, Croton American Legion Post #381 4th of July Parade from 11:30 am - 1:30 pm and again at 6:00 pm (30 minutes sooner than past years per Township Supervisor Morgan Heinzman) for event set-up and stay closed until no later than midnight. The Freedom Fest on the CauseWay will be open at 6:30pm, with music beginning shortly after. N3-Why should folks go? CL-It's fun; whether you watch with us and enjoy Freedom Fest on the CauseWay, put your boat in and enjoy them on the water or find a spot from one of the high banks along the Croton Pond, Croton Township has amazing fireworks! The River Country Chamber, the Freedom Fest on the CauseWay Committee and event sponsors: Fremont Area Community Foundation, Hilltop General Store, Old Orchard, Tyler Sales and Independent Bank look forward to a being able to support the Fireworks Committee in their 2018 fundraising efforts. A CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS!! Freedom Fest On The Causeway is in need of volunteers to help make the event a success. Join in because this a very cool way to get to know people, reacquaint with old friends or just do a little something for your community. Those signing up to help by July 5th will be getting a great looking t-shirt announcing to all how you helped make this event a memorable one. Contact the Chamber office at 231.652.3068 or [email protected]. Crimes Against a Book Club Review By Alexis Mercer It was my turn to pick for Book Club. That is always the most stressful of months in the Club. You want to pick something that everyone will love. And even though I never associate a “bad” book with the person who is picking it, I always feel like that will happen if I choose a total dud. The pressure was on. Coming fresh off Room, which was jarring, deep and disturbing, I desperately wanted to pick something light, humorous and fresh. I’m not quite sure this book qualifies as anything but light. Crimes Against a Book Club, by Kathy Cooperman, is a book I had been hearing about repeatedly since it was published in May of this year. It was described as “lighthearted” by Real Simple, and as having a “rock-solid plot” by RT Book Reviews. Sounds just like the kind of book I needed to recover from the last choice. And I was picking a book about book club for book club. Perfect, right? Not so much. Two friends, who were college roommates at Harvard, but who now live drastically different lives near La Jolla, San Diego, are both in need of money. Annie is looking to fund her son’s therapy for his recent diagnosis of autism. And Sarah, who just quit her job as a high profile lawyer, wants to fund another round of IVF treatments to have a baby with her husband. So they come up with a business scheme to sell homemade face cream to the wealthiest women in La Jolla, including those in Annie’s book club. Annie has a background in chemistry. Sarah is the charismatic salesperson who befriends many of the women. And so their adventure in selling beauty products begins. The strength of the novel is the characterization of Annie and Sarah. Both are immediately likeable and their struggles in life are realistic and relatable. Annie’s mother is another intriguing, all-too-realistic character whose personality makes the reader laugh. Being able to read through it quickly, without much thought, would be another plus. Maybe because I am a teacher, or maybe because I am a mother, I found the diagnosis of Annie’s son by her teachers and a school psychologist in one hour to be so asinine I couldn’t quite get past it. And while some aspects made you groan in a kind-of-funny way, most of the plot was a little too dramatic for my tastes. It seemed very The Real Housewives-ish to me, though I'll admit I have never actually watched an episode so I can't be sure. Book Club meets on Monday. I hope I’m not thrown out for having chosen this one. By N3 Entertainment Team
What? Last weekend of June? No way. How can a month run along so quickly with a pace that far exceeds that of her rather unpleasant sister February? This past month has been filled with nearly all of the summer weather options available to Michiganders. From chilly foggy mornings to rapid fire downpours to the ever so blistering turn-on-the-AC-I-don’t-care-if-it’s-June kind of heat and humidity days each surrounded... Christmas In July Trip To Benefit Hope 101 House What could possibly be more fun than shopping for Christmas in July? Family of God Community Church will give you that opportunity on Saturday, July 22, 2017, when a bus full of fun loving people (men and women) will leave Family of God Community Church, located at 90 Quarterline, Newaygo, at 7:30 a.m. and head to Frankenmuth and Bronner’s. Not only will you get a couple of hours to shop at Bronner’s, but you will also get a full chicken dinner for lunch at Zehnder’s and a chance to shop in Frankenmuth as well. You will be delivered back to the church around 6:00 p.m. Total cost including cost of the bus, lunch with beverage and tip is only $55 per person. Proceeds from the trip will go to the benefit of HOPE 101 Transitional Housing Ministry whose mission is to provide safe, loving homes, offering Christian support, friendship and direction to empower participants to reach beyond their circumstances to a place of stability and self-sufficiency. For more information please call Shari at 652-9422. The Suggestion Box: What’s Happening Where By N3 Entertainment Squad "Summertime, and the livin' is easy Fish are jumping and the corn's getting high....." Right I know it's cotton not corn but hey, this is the Mitten not the deep south so..... Lots happening in the Near North and here are a few highlights: Friday night Bob Milne brings his Boogie Woogie Ragtime music to the Dogwood Center and if you are a music lover of this or any musical genre and have not been to his previous stops in our area make it a point to catch his show on the Main Stage. Milne is captivating as he not only deftly captures the music of those times, he punctuates the lively toe tapping tunes with snappy dialogue and a wealth of information about the origins of this oh so American music. The shows at 7:30pm and tickets are $15 and $5 for 18 and under. This is the latest in a dynamic series of musical performances at the Dogwood that will be continuing in July when... |
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