Photos by Marianne Boerigter
Have some fun this fall and shoot away….with your camera or phone! Newaygo County is prime country for that perfect fall photo. Take your best shots and enter the NCCA-Artsplace Fall Photography Contest. The contest is an annual community event that anyone can enter and showcases the fall beauty of our area. Entry deadline is Tuesday, October 1, by 5:00 p.m. This free competition is for all ages and all levels of skill. All entries must have a fall or harvest theme. Participants may submit up to two entries. Each entry must be an 8”x10” unframed photograph. All entries will be on display October 4 through November 2 in the corridor gallery at NCCA-Artsplace. First, second and third place awards will be announced at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 4 and posted at www.ncca-artsplace.org and @NCCA-Artsplace on Facebook. Registration forms for the competition are available at NCCA-Artsplace, 13 East Main Street, downtown Fremont or call 231.924.4022. The guidelines and forms may also found by clicking here. Go ahead…take your best shot!
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A Tripleheader from Fremont Area District Library at This month's Live @ the Library
One of the coolest ongoing programs around is the Live @ the Library series the folks at the FADL have been serving up to a grateful community. Authors, artists, historians, story tellers, musicians and more have delivered on helping to educate, entertain and enlighten attendees. This month the library tosses out a threesome of events and each seems destined to provide some lively post session dialogue. Political Lincoln: Honest Abe on Campaigns & Elections on Thursday, Sep. 5th at 7:00 p.m. For ages 12-adults. Mr. Lincoln describes his many interesting campaign and election experiences over a long and eventful career, during a time of political intrigue and tumult when the very destiny of our nation was at stake. Mr. Lincoln is portrayed by Kevin Wood, a professional Lincoln presenter who bears a remarkable resemblance to "the Great Emancipator" and who is extremely knowledgeable about his life and times. Pamela VandenBerg Presents: Becker vs. Carter on Tuesday, Sep. 17th at 7:00 p.m. How Isabelle Becker and Carrie Carter Redefined Education in Newaygo County. Learn about the story of two local women who competed for Newaygo County Commissioner of Schools in 1903, and again in 1915. These trailblazing women not only won this elected position but substantially improved education in local schools, all before the passing of the Nineteenth Amendment giving all women the right to vote! Pamela VandenBerg is a local historian who specializes in Women's History and began her career as both a volunteer and employee of the Public Museum of Grand Rapids. Charlie McLravy Presents: The Pink Pony on Monday, Sep. 23rd at 7:00 p.m. Charlie McLravy is the author of the highly acclaimed five (soon to be six) book Burr Lafayette legal thriller series. The Pink Pony, the first book in the series, recently won first prize in the Global Book Awards. It takes place on Mackinac Island and all of the books in the series are pure Michigan. Books will be available for purchase at this event.   The Michigan Irish Music Festival, presented by Family Financial Credit Union, is excited for a stellar 25th Anniversary celebration. Join the festivities September 12-15th at Heritage Landing in downtown Muskegon, Michigan! Festival Pass & Single Day tickets are available now! Prices increase on September 1st, so buy early and save. Ticket sales are sponsored by Barry's Greenhouses. Children 12 & under are free, but still need a ticket code. All tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable. The Festival Pass grants entry to festival grounds at Heritage Landing for the festival on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, in addition to the Pub Preview Party, which takes place on Thursday evening. Why wait for the weekend? Pre-game the Michigan Irish Music Festival on Thursday night at our Pub Preview Party! Enjoy one stage with four amazing bands. Tasty food from two vendors, the Pub bar, and the opportunity to grab exclusive artist merchandise and the official 2024 t-shirt will all be available Thursday night! Full festival offerings will be available on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Irish Culture is a significant part of the full festival experience! Michigan Irish Music Festival is proud to present a wide array of cultural offerings, with sessions around music like “Learn to Play the Tin Whistle” and “Folklore & Hip Hop”. Touch on history with offerings such as “Celtic Mythology” and “The Irish in the American Civil War”. Information about modern Ireland can be found at sessions like “Ireland’s Young Voices in Poetry” and “Music of the Derry Girls”. Attend Children’s Storytime hosted by Hackley Public Library or Design Your Personal Coat of Arms. Cuisine and libations are covered in Irish Food & Drink demonstrations by Culinary Institute of Michigan and Craft Beer & Cocktail Tasting classes presented by Pigeon Hill Brewing Company*, Wonderland Distilling Company*, Five Farms Irish Cream*. *Denotes a ticketed event. Tickets can be purchased at https://michiganirish.saffire.com/p/tickets. Since its inception, the Michigan Irish Music Festival has been entirely led by volunteers with no paid staff. Enlisting just shy of 1300 volunteers each year, the board, team leaders, managers, and shift volunteers are all driven by a passion to enhance our community, host a premier Irish music festival, and be part of a high functioning, enthusiastic team. To join this group, please visit https://michiganirish.org/volunteer. Additionally, as a part of their ongoing mission, the festival gives back to the local community. Since tracking began in 2008, Michigan Irish Music Festival has donated approximately $400,000 and over 20,000 pounds of non-perishable items to local organizations working to mitigate hunger in our area. This is done in memory of the Gorta Mór, or Great Famine, that plagued Ireland in the mid-1800s. Donations welcome! Visit www.michiganirish.org for more information on preferred donations for 2024. Along with presenting sponsor Family Financial Credit Union, other major sponsors of the festival include G&L Chili Dogs, Langlois Home Furnishings, The Mart Dock, and Budweiser. Complete festival information including stage and entertainment schedules can be found at www.michiganirish.org. Stay tuned to the website and Michigan Irish Music Festival social media pages for additional updates.    Downtown Hesperia- Photo by Jennifer Sherburn HesperiArt Initiative seeking proposals for community enhancement
The Hesperia Area Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with a dedicated group of community leaders, invites artists, designers, and creative individuals to submit proposals for public art installations that will enhance the cultural and aesthetic value of our community. The HesperiART Initiative aims to enhance the vibrancy in our community, encouraging community engagement and beautification of public spaces. We seek innovative and visually appealing art pieces that reflect the spirit and history of Hesperia. Before the end of 2026, we hope to commission 6 art installations, including but not limited to, sculptures, murals, mosaics, and interactive installations. The selected works will be installed in various public locations throughout the Village, such as parks and building facades. **Project #1 Scope:** We seek to install a mural in downtown Hesperia, near the White River. This mural will be permanently installed on a brick wall after completion. The mural should be no larger than 8 feet wide and 5 feet tall. **Eligibility:** This RFP is open to all professional artists and designers, both individual and collaborative teams, with experience in creating and installing public art. Prior experience is preferred. **Proposal Requirements:** 1. **Artist Statement:** A brief biography and description of the artist's experience and connection to Hesperia. 2. **Project Description:** A detailed description of the proposed artwork, including conceptual approach, materials, dimensions, and installation requirements. 3. **Visuals:** Sketches, renderings, or photographs of the proposed artwork. 4. **Budget:** A detailed budget breakdown covering all aspects of the project, including materials, fabrication, and installation, not to exceed $2,500. 5. **Timeline:** A proposed timeline for the project from concept to completion. Award notifications are expected in Q4 2024. 6. **References:** Contact information for at least two professional references familiar with the artist’s work. **Selection Criteria:** Proposals will be evaluated based on artistic merit, originality, feasibility, community engagement, and alignment with the goals of the Hesperia Public Art Initiative. Selected artists will be awarded a commission contract to execute their proposed projects. **Submission Deadline:** All proposals must be submitted by September 20th, 2024. Late submissions will not be considered. **Submission Process:** Proposals should be submitted electronically to [email protected] **Contact Information:** For inquiries or additional information, please contact Julie Burrell at [email protected] or the Hesperia Area Chamber of Commerce at [email protected]  The Swingtooth Quartet will perform in the Dogwood Center's Black Box on Friday, August 16 at 7:30 p.m. Join us and you will experience great live music at the Dogwood! Local guitar duo, Lee and David Middleman, known for their hand-built instruments, Swingtooth Guitars, and featured in past West Michigan Luthier concerts, make up a portion of the quartet. They are joined by Chris Cudworth on bass, and Pat Eickenroth on percussion, both sought after participants in several eclectic groups across Michigan. The synergy among the four is part of their own enjoyment in crafting new ways to express their favorite timeless material of early swing, bebop, sultry ballads and lively bossa nova. And vocalist Jody Swanson will be adding a twist to some of the songs by the quartet! Please join us at the Dogwood for a two-hour leap into great music! Tickets are $12.50 and are available online at www.dogwoodcenter.com, at the Dogwood Box Office, or at NCCA-Artsplace in downtown Fremont, or just click here! The Dogwood Center Box Office is open Tuesday - Friday, 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. For information, phone 231.924.8885.  Saturday Festival features family friendly fun A fun filled day awaits folks attending River Country Chamber’s Annual Grant Festival this Saturday, August 17th, with a bevy of activities for all ages. Now that we are now knee deep into August the wonderful array of outdoor festivals our area is known for will be coming to an end soon. It’s prime time for some outdoor mingling with a chance to run into friends and acquaintances seeking a bit of hometown revelry. We listed some of the highlights adding the generous sponsors who make them possible. You can start the day with a full stomach by hitting up the Pancake Breakfast at the fire station. Coffee and rolls from 7-8am then cakes and sausage from 8-11am. (Consumers Energy) Car buffs take note. The ever popular Auto Show will feature some fine rides decked out in their best for the competition. Starting at 9am with judging at 11:30am, the vehicular venue is on Front St. in front of the Community Center. From classic models to newer rides, you can check out hair dryers, huffers and hot licks while admiring the work that goes into these gas powered beauties. (Grant Tire Wholesalers Plus) Who doesn’t love a parade? A festival without a parade is just so wrong, thus at 12:30pm the caravan of candy tossing will begin and the streets will be lined with locals looking to see what surprises the lineup brings. AND since the primary is over there will be less candidates cruising along the route to shake a few hands and hand out flyers no one reads. One of our favorite events at any time is a BBQ Competition where smoke savoring savants roll out their ribs and slightly charred chicken concoctions for bragging rights and some cold hard cash for the winners. Pitmasters will learn the fate of their meat beginning at 5pm. Side note: A friend who is a certified judge of such events educated me as to how the frequently advertised “fall off the bone” ribs never make the cut since they are considered to be overdone. Ribs should apparently give just a bit of a tug to be considered prize-worthy. Who knew? (Choice One) Did I hear Beer Tent? Yep. Not only can you enjoy an adult beverage or two but there’s entertainment to be had beginning with The Faulkners a local duo who have been making a number of appearances throughout the area from 1:30pm-4pm and followed up with a welcome taste of country classics with the Larsen Brothers 4:30pm-6pm. If you are one of those folks who don’t normally carry cash, you might want to hit up an ATM since cash (and an I.D.) is your only way of scoring a brew. (High Profile) Soap Box Racing is always a hoot and with three divisions it will be interesting to see what these innovative riders come up with. Races begin at 9am and will wrap up around 12:30 pm. (Newaygo Plumbing) Once upon a time this festival included horseshoes but while there are still some ‘shoers’ out there, cornhole has passed it in popularity and now the festival has a Cornhole Tourney on hand. Dozens of competitors seeking to put their tossing skills on display will be looking to be this year's Boss of the Toss. (Wolff Builders) A Golf Simulator will give links lovers a shot at winning long drive and closest to the pin, there will be a Pie Baking Contest (The Depot) , a 5k walk/ run and the obligatory Dunk Tank (Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy), all add to the fun. And, of course, there will be a boatload of activities for the young ones including Gellyball (think paintball without the mess) , a Barrel Train, Face Painting and a Gem Mine. Our Gateway City is pulling out all stops to provide a day of fun and frolic so take your crew to Grant this Saturday, August 17th. For more detailed info visit the River Country Chamber site at: https://www.rivercountrychamber.com/events/details/grant-festival-2024-41231   Annual meeting to feature a variety of entertainment
Stage Door Players Theater is presenting an evening of entertainment as part of their annual meeting on August 12 at 6:30 PM. The theme is Music and More! There will be a variety of music, musicians, and a puppet show, all family fun entertainment! Bring family and friends to Stage Door Theater at 1147 Wilcox in White Cloud for a chance to cool off in air conditioned comfort, meet new friends, and help support entertainment in our community. The building was originally a movie theater, there is a photo of it from 1947. Stage Door has occupied it for the past twenty years. Admission is free, donations are accepted. Light refreshments will be served.  Photo by Russ Tindall, ProPhoto Image
This year’s Deb Emerick Summer Celebration of Music, honoring the memory of a beloved Fremont artist and musician, will again feature an impressive and diverse collection of Newaygo County talent. The concert is scheduled for Tuesday evening, Aug. 13 at 7 p.m. at the Dogwood Center for the Performing Arts. Admission will be free, with donations going to the Newaygo County Compassion Home, a community-supported non-profit that provides free end-of-life care for local people. An anonymous donor recently offered to match any donations that come in for the Compassion Home, up to $20,000. Concert impresario Dean Morehouse said that donations toward the $20,000 match will be accepted before, during and for a few days after the show. Like last year’s show, this year’s event will include the Braunschweiger Blues Band and the Outhouse Band. Deb Emerick’s son Tracy Veenstra and her brother Dan Price will again perform as a guitar and vocal duet, and Deb’s husband, local Entertainment Utility Man Mat Emerick, will do some clowning or juggling or both. Internationally acclaimed mandolin virtuoso Brian Oberlin of Rockford will play and sing, as will The Vandenberg Family of Grant and Mick Hanna of Fremont. Solo vocalist Jean Howarth of Croton and pianist Bernadine Johnson will perform, and Frank Sinatra devotees Miguel Escobedo and Luis Gomez of Hesperia will return for more crooning. Newaygo County Compassion Home Executive Director Diane Rudholm said that, since welcoming the first guest to a small house in White Cloud in July of 2018, the non-profit Compassion Home has served 347 guests and their families. The home served 88 guests in White Cloud and then moved into its current building in March of 2021. The former dental office at 20 S. Stewart Ave., remodeled into a roomy, quiet and comfortable home, offers four guest rooms and a room that is used primarily for five-day respite care. The free round-the-clock care is provided by dedicated paid staff members, with help from local volunteers. “Without the staff,” Rudholm said, “we couldn’t do what we do. They’re in it for the right reasons. They have great hearts.” Volunteers help with patient and family support, maintenance, special events, grant-writing, advisory committees and other work Rudholm’s files are full of expressions of thanks from families whose loved ones have been guests of the home. “The Newaygo County Compassion Home is the epitome of community caring for community,” said the wife of a recent guest. “I cannot imagine having gone through this experience without their support, wisdom and compassion.” Nurse Ann Hindes and colleagues Amy Drilling and Brandee Chase saw the need for the Compassion Home and began working to see it become a reality. People like Dr. Douglas Johnson, the current president of the Compassion Home’s board, helped make it happen. The Compassion Home does not replace hospice care. It works with several hospice care providers, and placement in the home is a collaboration between clients, hospice agencies and the Compassion Home. More information about the Newaygo County Compassion Home is available online at newaygocountycompassionhome.org. To take advantage of the $20,000 matching offer, supporters can donate directly to Newaygo County Compassion Home online or by check, including a note mentioning the Summer Celebration of Music. Donations to the home will also be accepted at the Aug. 13 event. Deb Emerick, whose art-filled life was cut short by a brain tumor last year, left behind a colorful collection of artwork, including a multitude of mosaic pieces displayed around the Fremont area. She taught art in the community for many years, injected artistry into her devoted church ministry, performed extensively as a musician and singer, and co-founded the Outhouse Band. She and her husband, Mat Emerick, performed together as The Patchwork Pear  Ted Yoder, known for his groundbreaking and innovative approach to the hammered dulcimer and widely recognized as the “Bela Fleck of the hammered dulcimer,” will perform in the Dogwood Center Black Box on Friday, August 2 at 7:30 p.m. Yoder gained widespread attention when his hammered dulcimer cover of Tears for Fears' "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" became a viral sensation on Facebook, amassing over 100 million views. Yoder has redefined what's possible with the hammered dulcimer. His original compositions blend rock 'n roll sensibilities and unmistakable innovation, creating deeply moving and joyous music. He has won the title of National Hammered Dulcimer Champion, performed on NPR radio, opened for Jake Shimabukuro, performed at Busch Gardens, and the historic WGN radio in Chicago. Ted’s unwavering dedication to his craft has also led him to release 10 albums, perform at Busch Gardens, travel to a Brazilian island, and stage concerts in 40 of the 50 states. Join us for a great night in the Dogwood Black Box! Tickets are $15.00 and are available through the Dogwood Center Box Office, NCCA-Artsplace in downtown Fremont, or on-line by clicking here. Beer and wine will be available at a cash bar. For information, phone 231.924.8885. The Dogwood Center is located one mile east of downtown Fremont.  Clubhouse Arcade operator Alex Harmon working the flippers and avoiding the drain  Clubhouse Arcade’s annual tourney to honor Rich Tanis By Zoe Wilbur Just outside downtown Fremont lies Clubhouse Arcade, hosting over 100 pinball, arcade, and redemption machines. Every year, the arcade hosts a large charity pinball tournament during the National Baby Food Festival (NBFF). This year the tournament is a fundraiser for the American Heart Association in memory of a wonderful family member and friend, Rich Tanis. In March 2023, our cousin Rich passed away unexpectedly due to a heart attack, leaving behind many loving family members and friends. It was a deep loss for all those who knew Rich, because to know him was to love him. He was the life of the party, and a man who treated everyone he met like family. Rich was a huge supporter of Clubhouse Arcade’s charity pinball tournaments and when the tournaments were held downtown, he spent hours canvasing around town encouraging folks to come check us out. This is why we have chosen to hold a memorial pinball tournament in honor of Rich. “The reason we love to hold charity pinball tournaments is because not only do we get to support causes we care about, but they tend to be more approachable for both new and seasoned players,” commented arcade operator, Alex Harmon. “We like to create a friendly tournament atmosphere that everyone feels comfortable playing in, whether this is your first time hitting the flipper buttons or your 1,000th – it doesn’t matter to us, we just want you to have a good time while supporting a good cause.” And that is truly what this event is all about - coming together to have fun, just as Rich would have wanted. The fun will begin on Tuesday, June 16 (4:00pm-9:00pm), and continue Thursday, July 18 (1:00pm-9:00pm), Friday, July 19 (1:00pm-9:00pm), and Saturday, July 20 (1:00pm-9:00pm). Each day there will be multiple pinball tournaments that folks can enter including: a Thursday Daily tournament (with finals on Thursday at 7:30pm), a Friday Daily tournament (with finals on Friday at 7:30pm), a John Wick Launch Party (with finals on Saturday at 8:00pm), a Main Division tournament, and a Classics Division tournament. To enter a tournament, all you must do is submit scores on the selected machines – and just by doing so you will become a world ranked pinball player! How about that for a fun thing to brag about? If you catch the bug and want to participate in the Main or Classics Division tournaments finals, they will be held on Sunday, July 21 at 1:00pm (arcade opens at 10:00am for tournament players only). As an added incentive, Ameriprise Financial, office of Phil Harmon, Zoe Wilbur & Trey Schuiteman in Fremont, has committed to donating $10 for every person who successfully enters the Main and/or Classics Division tournaments. So, bring a friend and help us rack up the donations! In addition to pinball tournaments, Clubhouse Arcade also invites you to come on down and play “The Price is Right” Plinko. The large-scale version of Plinko will be available to be played during all open hours of the event – first play is FREE and each additional play is $5, with proceeds being donated to the American Heart Association in memory of Rich Tanis. Everyone who plays is a winner, and when you hit the 100, 200, 300, or 500, you will receive raffle tickets to enter to win one of the grand prize baskets! Local Fremont businesses have donated awesome prizes and each basket is valued at $50+. The arcade will also be open for regular game play. You do not have to participate in the tournaments or Plinko to come out and have a good time! With over 100 machines to be played, there is sure to be something for everyone to enjoy. The cost to play, whether regular game play or tournament play (or both!), is a suggested donation of $5+. All proceeds will be donated to the American Heart Association in memory of Rich Tanis. There is no doubt Rich knew how to have a good time wherever he went and whatever he was doing, so we hope to honor him by having an enjoyable and successful event. We hope you will come out and join us at the Rich Tanis Pinball Tournaments where folks of all ages and skill levels are welcome and encouraged to participate! Clubhouse Arcade is located at 7020 W. 48th Street, Fremont, Michigan. The arcade is open to the public most Tuesdays (4:00pm-9:00pm), Fridays (1:00pm-9:00pm), and Saturdays (1:00pm-9:00pm). The arcade is also available to be privately rented for parties and events. Be sure to check out Clubhouse Arcade on Facebook for any changes to these hours or to contact a staff member with questions.  |
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September 2024
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