   By Ken DeLaat If it’s mid-July it must mean one thing to festival goers. The National Baby Food Festival in downtown Fremont As it is every year the event is chock full of activities for all ages at this family friendly four day fun fest. Is it music you crave? Try heading to Vet’s Park for a quartet of concerts beginning Wednesday with the ever-popular John Berry bringing a non-Christmas concert this trip. A holiday regular at the Dogwood Berry will give his many local fans a mid summer opportunity to enjoy his music. Thursday brings Big Cadillac who will be tossing out a half century of classic rock and roll. Then on Friday Dueling Pianos will captivate listeners with a fun and frolicking show guaranteed to please. Swifties will want to catch Kanin Wren with the Taylor Swift experience on Saturday. And what is the NBFF without a carnival? The midway will open up Wednesday at noon and spend the next four days providing thrills and chills and the chance to win one of those stuffed toys for your girl or guy. Speaking of Wednesday it is the Kids Expo where parents can visit the many booths who will have giveaways and information on the multitude of services available locally for families. On Thursday you can learn a little swing dancing from 3-4pm and follow it up with dusting off your line dancing moves from 4-5. Hungry? Well, there will be an invasion of food trucks on hand to help handle the hunger having fun tends to generate. Each day from 11am- 10pm. Want to try your hand at bull riding? Friday and Saturday from 6-10pm you can mount the mechanical bull and give it a go. Personally I will be observing and not riding since an incident with one of these beasts years ago led to a significant level of public humiliation. Then on Friday the court will take the stage and this year's queen will be crowned. The court has already become nearly world famous after their recent gig on Channel 13. As we have said before no one throws out a parade like Fremont and this year’s version of the Grand Parade kicks off Saturday morning at 10:30. Make sure the little ones bring those bags for the expected candy tossing. There are many more activities and details are available at the Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce website https://www.fremontcommerce.com/national-baby-food-festival It is the annual mid-summer classic once again providing a plethora of fun to Fremont so get your family and friends and head to the downtown area. You won’t be disappointed. And if you see me considering giving the bull another try? Stop me. For pity’s sake stop me. Here are the sponsors who have ponied up to provide this four-day extravaganza of family friendly fun, so don't forget to show them a little love. 
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 Jeff (Pizza Man) and Tracy with a few of the animals who populate the grounds of HTRJ More than just an eatery....it's an experience By Ken DeLaat When Linda Cudworth opened the door of Hit the Road Joe a quarter century ago it soon became a frequent destination for community minded folks, a local crowd that was as eclectic as the restaurant itself. Over the years HTRJ has witnessed new generations enter their doors or rather re-entered since many grew up paying visits to the cafe with their parents. The highly valued venue passed the torch in 2020 when Linda’s daughter Tracey Murrell took over. In an article we ran about the change Tracy stated “It will be the same vibe, the same feel with homemade organic offerings. Real food in a friendly atmosphere” And Chef Tracy has delivered on keeping the vibe while using the skills acquired in Culinary School to expand and enhance the offerings at the Croton eatery, now in its 25th year. But nothing worthwhile ever seems to come easy. Within 2 months of being handed the keys to the place, Covid arrived and the ensuing restrictions on public places hit the restaurant industry like no other. Many closed but the majority of eateries found innovative ways to survive. HTRJ was one. “It was a huge challenge but we learned a lot from it. We weren’t sure if we were ever going to be able to have people come in again. We changed the menu, my husband Jeff came on and started doing pizzas and we were doing weekly to-go dinners. Those changes saved us. Jeff coming on was huge and now he is known as ‘the pizza guy’. We now have an outdoor space for dining we built and we still offer our weekly dinners to go.”  She acknowledges one of the biggest challenges has been keeping good staff. “Right now I'm fortunate. I have a great staff who uphold my standards and more importantly, those of our customers. We’re a tight knit group and it has always amazed me that when we get new people it’s like they are exactly where they are supposed to be. We need them and they need us. Newcomers to HTRJ might find the zoological influence on the outdoor space intriguing. Donkeys, goats, and a pair of pigs are among the residents with the porkers doing their composting best by serving as scrap scarfers, a task they seem demonstratively delighted with. “They’re my therapy, " says Tracie. “And it’s fun to watch when kids come here. I love coming out here and seeing them playing at the pond and interacting with the animals and the parents are having a good time as well.. It’s more than a restaurant, it's an experience.”  The Chick Run Association during a visit to the eatery The eatery shuts down for a couple of months each year, time the Murrell’s use to do some traveling and take advantage of opportunities for Chef Tracy to explore the cuisine of other countries. Her research tends to bring new dishes to the always inviting specials created at HTRJ. Recently she began getting coffee from a grower she met in Belize during one of their travels. I recall dropping into the cafe soon after its opening at the suggestion of friend Sherry Werner to do a review for the Times Indicator. In doing so I became a regular visitor to the relaxing atmosphere this oasis provides. To say it has grown would be an understatement. HTRJ is a gem in the local array of eateries and boasts a loyal following, many of whom travel from long distances to share the HTRJ experience. A couple of years ago they were a stop on the annual Chick Run with a bevy of women bikers descending on the iconic restaurant for lunch. They have hosted speakers, occasionally offer music by local musicians and continue to be a gathering place where people share ideas, opinions and interests while enjoying a variety of creative menu items.  The offerings at HTRJ are indeed scratch-made and locally sourced whenever possible. ‘Real food’ as Tracy puts it. “When Mom built this place it was with a sense of community She wanted to bring like-minded folks together and have a spot for them to enjoy good food, good coffee and a good atmosphere and I am proud to continue that legacy. Tracy expresses gratitude for one of her instructors from Culinary School, Angus Campbell, a mentor she still sees on occasion who provided guidance early in her career. “He and his wife come up at least once a year for dinner and it still makes me nervous having him come in as a customer,” she said, smiling.  Mom and Tracy soon after the baton was passed And Mom? “She comes in all the time to eat. She’ll host sometimes when we’re really busy and check on her old customers. They always love seeing her. “This was her dream and it's been great to carry it on with my own twist.” And carry on the Murrells have done, creating a welcoming vibe in a pastoral setting, continuing to be the heart of the community minded folks who frequent the venue and providing an intriguing option for folks seeking distinction and diversity when it comes to bill of fare. “People who love to eat are always the best people” - Julia Child  Jeff and Tracy Murrell outside HTRJ via selfie  Local actress to join Director in post film discussion
The Dogwood Center is proud to present a special screening of "Old Heart" on Sunday, June 29 at 6:30 p.m. on the Main Stage. This powerful film, adapted from the award-winning novel and produced by West Michigan's Heartland Independent Film and Drama Forum, offers audiences a moving portrayal of love, war, and the enduring power of human connection. "Old Heart" tells the compelling story of Tom Johnson, an American soldier participating in the Allied liberation of the Southern Netherlands in fall 1944. Working alongside Jewish translator Sarah van Praag, Tom helps smuggle food and supplies to starving residents of northern cities trapped behind Nazi lines. As they risk their lives to help others, Tom and Sarah fall deeply in love. The narrative spans six decades, following Tom's journey to the summer of 2005, when the elderly veteran foils his family's plan to move him to assisted living by taking a flight to the Netherlands. Determined to reconnect with Sarah—the love of his life—Tom embarks on a poignant quest that bridges past and present. Following the screening, audiences will have the unique opportunity to hear from Director Kirk Wahamaki and local actress Martha Kallenbach, who will share insights about the film's production and participate in a Q&A session. "Old Heart" has garnered significant attention across multiple venues, screening at theaters, museums, festivals, universities, performing arts centers, libraries, and conferences throughout the United States, as well as in numerous Dutch cities, Belgium, and Canada. Tickets are $10 and are available online at www.dogwoodcenter.com, at the Dogwood Box Office, or at NCCA-Artsplace in downtown Fremont. The Dogwood Center Box Office is open Tuesday - Friday, 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. For information, phone 231.924.8885.
May Erlewine at Dogwood on June 27
The Dogwood Center is pleased to announce that celebrated Michigan songwriter May Erlewine will perform in the intimate Black Box theater on Friday, June 27 at 7:30 p.m. Known as one of the Midwest's most prolific and passionate songwriters, Erlewine brings her gift for crafting songs of substance that feel both fresh and soulfully familiar to audiences far beyond her Michigan roots. For this special concert, Erlewine will be joined by Chicago guitar virtuoso Packy Lundholm, forming what fans have come to know as a heart-forward power duo. The collaboration between May and Packy creates something truly special on stage – an authentic connection that comes from their willingness to offer the depth of their hearts to audiences, making room for genuine feeling and human connection. Erlewine's songwriting draws from a rich tapestry of influences, creating a distinctive sound that defies easy categorization. Her lyrics are rooted in hard-wrought wisdom, exploring themes of joy and sorrow, simplicity, and stories drawn from everyday experiences. Musically, these heartfelt messages are wrapped in traditional folk roots, Americana, old-time country swing, soul, and rock and pop sensibilities, creating a sound that resonates with diverse audiences. The artist's ability to emotionally engage with listeners has earned her a dedicated following throughout the region and beyond, establishing her as a compelling voice in contemporary folk and Americana music. Tickets are $17.50 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. The Dogwood Center is located one mile east of downtown Fremont.  An Elvis tribute, deck tunes and more
Any Elvis fans out there? Of course there are. The King’s followers are legion despite his departure nearly half a century ago, though rumors to the contrary over the years have remained one of the enduring conspiracy theories. In 1987 it was claimed he was spotted at a Burger King in Kalamazoo and former Houston Oilers Head Coach Jerry Glanville was known to leave Elvis tickets at will call for home games. The popularity of Elvis’ music has experienced a recent revival among young folks in recent years and Elvis tribute performers continue to draw crowds. This Thursday the wonderfully diverse Summer Concert Series in Fremont will present one of the best with Ron Short taking the stage at Veteran’s Park starting at 7pm. Get there early because the Fremont Rotary will have some eats on hand for purchase starting at 5pm with dessert options delivered by Elsie’s Ice Cream. Great venue, fun time and if you have little ones they can frolic in the newly opened splash pad. Now that the Farmers Market in Newaygo is hitting its stride, take advantage of the opportunity to score some local produce this Friday. While there, catch the music of Grace Theisen who serves up a mix of blues and Americana with a dollop of soul. She will be joined by Carolyn Koebel beginning at 2pm and as a bonus the Hola Arepa food truck will be parked and prepping their outstanding offerings. The Denise Anderson Connection will be rocking the Riverstop Saloon Friday starting at 7pm. Always a good time with Ms. A. and the weekend afternoon deck lineup at the Driftwood has Top Shelf Saturday 4-8pm and Dennie Middleton Sunday 3-7pm. Great venue, epic view of the pond, good bar food and cold drinks. Northern Trails will have Zach Lentine on their deck Wednesday from 6-9pm and if you want to take a short drive, Cedar Springs has downtown music with the Sun Dogs starting at 7pm. It’s summer so get out there and grab some tunes.Itis, after all, a short season. “I wonder what it would be like to live in a world where it was always June.”- Lucy Maud Montgomery  You’re Invited to Celebrate the Fremont Library’s 25th Anniversary
The Fremont Area District Library is thrilled to invite the community to a special celebration marking the 25th anniversary of the opening of the newest part of its building, which first opened its doors on February 14, 2000. The anniversary party will be held at the library on Wednesday, June 25th, and promises a day full of fun for all ages. The festivities will kick off at 10:00 AM with a special Elephant & Piggie Family Storytime for children ages 0–5, featuring a special appearance by Elephant & Piggie themselves! From 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, patrons will have the chance to meet and greet the beloved characters up close. From 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, visitors can cool down with free frozen yogurt from Jams (while supplies last) and enjoy the talents of an animal balloon artist, courtesy of the Friends of the Library. All day long, guests can participate in a scavenger hunt for a fun prize and try their luck at guessing the number of M&Ms in a jar to win a cuddly Warmie plush toy. The Friends Gift Shop is also joining the fun! The 100th, 200th, and 300th visitors to the shop during the celebration will each receive a free adult sweatshirt. This is a milestone worth celebrating, and the library staff is proud of the role the library has played in our community over the past 25 years. We hope everyone will join us for this special day of gratitude, family fun, and community spirit.  Viola Shipman (Wade Rouse) And yes, that’s the right photo The Fremont Area District Library is proud to partner with the Fremont Area Community Foundation to bring bestselling author Viola Shipman (Wade Rouse) to the Fremont Library this Wednesday, June 4th. The presentation begins at 6pm. An Evening with Author Viola Shipman (Wade Rouse) - Wade Rouse is the USA TODAY, Publishers Weekly and #1 internationally bestselling author of 20 books, including five memoirs, 12 novels and three holiday novellas. His novels, including The Charm Bracelet, The Hope Chest, The Summer Cottage, and The Heirloom Garden, have been translated into over a dozen languages and become international bestsellers. 2025 will be a big year with three books being published, including his latest Viola Shipman novel, The Page Turner. This new novel celebrates how books and reading change and save us – takes readers inside the world of publishing today and asks why we judge one another and the books we read by our collective covers. Wade chose his grandmother’s name, Viola Shipman, as a pen name to honor the working poor Ozarks seamstress whose sacrifices changed his family’s life and whose memory inspires his fiction. The evening will include a moderated conversation with the author, and Wade will take questions and sign books. Books will be available to purchase, and this event will take place in the library’s Community Room on Wednesday, June 4th at 6:00 p.m.  This and other Shipman novels and memoirs will be available at the event  Story and photos by Charles Chandler Odd isn’t it, how we feel better when we are in one of our happy places with friends and family nearby? For just a moment of time, the weight of the world lifts and we experience the joy of community and our better humanity. The Dogwood Center for Performing Arts is one of my happy places. It is a cultural and community treasure and the beating heart for the performance arts in Newaygo County. You could write books about Dogwood. We can often recall our favorite performance we enjoyed there. Chapters could be written on the history of the building. Or the performance bookings and operations that are professionally managed by the Executive Director, Marianne Boerigter, and competent staff. Or the Dogwood’s appeal because it draws the best from the community for supporting volunteers, board members and gracious donors. This is not a story about Dogwood proper but a recognition of the story within the Dogwood. A story that has been told or experienced by others but as we know all things old can become new again. For example, I can watch The Lawrence Welk Show or Gunsmoke on my Smart TV or Mobil phone. For sometimes now I have had this little niggly curiosity about something that resides in the Dogwood. The light bulb came on Sunday, March 2 at 3:00 p.m. at the Dogwood Center’s Black Box! I was attending the Grand Valley Piano Chamber Series. This excellent series of classical piano chamber music is funded by the Fremont Area Community Foundation and is free to the public! Being in the Black Box I was able to sit up front and watch and listen to pianist Sookkyung Cho perform beautiful pieces by Franz Schubert, Antonin Dvorak, and Leos Janácek. An amazing and emotional performance. Once I thought I saw the Foundation’s CEO Shelly Kasprzycki quickly dab her eyes. On several occasions Ms. Sookkyung commented on how wonderful the Dogwood’s Piano was and how she enjoyed playing it. I also recalled having heard several other performers comment on the Dogwood Piano. Then I had that moment we all have experienced. The one where you have bumped around something or someone for a while and then for some reason saw it or them clearly for the first time. That usually results in “well I’ll be, look at that”, or “till death do us part” , or sometimes, “what did I ever see in him.” I was watching a talented pianist play a Steinway and Sons Model D Concert Grand Piano. Holy smokes, the holy grail of pianos. In our practical world we most often go straight to the value of something. I knew that in terms of USA dollars you could buy a county in Arkansas, or that Piano I was listening to. The marketing literature proudly states that the “Steinway and Sons Model D Concert Grand Piano is a majestic musical instrument. It is said to be the pinnacle of concert grand pianos. The overwhelming choice of the world's greatest pianists and for anyone who demands the highest level of musical expression.’ So here is the mystery. How did a Steinway and Sons Model D Concert Grand Piano make its way to this Newaygo County community? To here in this exemplary Performing Arts Center located within a stone’s throw of corn fields, fruit orchards and dairy barns. The nearest place you can buy a Steinway is at the factory in Astoria, NY. Being an invasive species here, I have learned over time that Newaygo County is a complex and wonderful place that has many treasures and mysteries.  Fast forward and a month later. This time it was a stop at another one of my happy places, the NCCA-Artsplace on Mainstreet in Fremont. I was hoping for a chat about the Piano with the always extra busy Director, Marianne Boerigter. She was on her way to another meeting but as always had a few minutes to give. She quickly agreed that there was truly a great story about the piano and that maybe in the Dogwood archives there was something, a file or document that if found she would send to me. Perfect, a good mystery must have a search for lost documents. A couple of days later I received an email from Marianne with a one-page attachment. It was an interview with Ms. Becky Jansma that was published in the Dogwood News on 06/22/02. According to this brief article Ms. Jansma was tasked with finding a piano for the Dogwood. Her search team included Ms. Bernadine Johnson and Ms. Thea Hoekman both members of the Newaygo County Area Piano Teachers Association. (Who knew this?) The team located a Model D Concert Grand Piano at Reeder’s Piano in Lansing. It was built in 1955, and Readers had restored it to new specifications. Price $40,000. The search team went down to Reeder’s and “auditioned” the piano. They found the piano worthy and were “amazed by its clear and clean sound.” They could buy a like new Model D Concert Grand Piano for $40.000 that would last many years and complement the performances at the Dogwood. To complete their mission, they had to raise the money, purchase the piano and get it delivered to Fremont. To add to the challenge, they wanted to have the Piano in place for the Grand Opening on July 21, 2002. I would have loved to have been in that car on the return trip from Reeder’s in Lansing to Fremont. You certainly would have heard some serious campaign plans. This intrepid team soon organized and hosted a “Center’s Keys to the Grand fund raiser. The fund-raiser included singers, dancers, jugglers and of course all accompanied by piano. They raised $28,000 at that event. Bummer, well short of the list price. As a former board member of the Dogwood, you never underestimate the determination of the Dogwood supporters or the generosity of the folks in Newaygo County. An anonymous donor stepped up and the Model D Concert Grand Piano came home to Fremont. For the Grand Opening of the Dogwood the Model D made its debut in the musical “Man of La Mancha.” The people of our community, musicians and all performance fans owe Ms. Jansma, Ms. Bernadine Johnson and Ms. Thea Hoekman a huge debt of gratitude for their good work. I had a chance to chat with Mr. Peter Wagner, the Factory Direct Representative for Steinway and Sons, and it would cost about a quarter million in today’s dollars to replace our Model D Concert Grand Piano Thanks ladies, well done. To be continued, maybe. I love a good story and feel there is much more to this one. Maybe we could find some of those good folks that were involved in the purchase of the Model D Concert Grand Piano and the Grand Opening of our beloved Dogwood Center for Performing Arts. I would love to hear their “you should have been there” side of the story   Our favorite singer flanked by Amy and Chad Walenga Singer to perform live tonight Ready to toss a little support to our hometown songstress Iris Herrera? Then tune into The Voice Monday night to see if she will continue her melodious journey.Iris has reached the Elite 8 of the competition and we're hoping she continues to move forward. Here’s the skinny on how to cast your ballot courtesy of Chadwick Walenga, a long time supporter and musical mentor to Iris. Iris is going LIVE tonight on The Voice!!! Please support her journey with your VOTE and let’s keep the celebration rolling. Be sure to download The Voice App onto your device! Use this link to vote IRIS HERRERA and tune in at 8pm on NBC The Voice!!! PLEASE SHARE!! https://voice.vote.nbc.com #TheVoice #TeamIris   L-R Fremont Area Community Foundation President and CEO Shelly Kasprzycki, FACF Community Investment Office Greg Poches, Birding Trail Committee members Charles Chandler, Terry Grabill, Andrea Grabill, and Marie Rust, NC Tourist Counci President Julie Burrell, NC Administrator Chris Wren and State Rep Joseph Fox Grand opening draws birders, wannabe birders and the curious to the event Photos by Lil DeLaat The Newaygo County Birding Trail took flight on Saturday at the Newaygo County Welcome Center’s John Graves Lodge where Julie Burrell, Board President of the Tourism Council opened the event and spoke to the growing popularity of the sport and its far reaching influence on tourism. She also thanked the Fremont Area Community Foundation for their support and gave a shout out to the committee members before finishing with,” As we celebrate today’s grand opening, we recognize this isn’t just about birds—it’s about people, place, and purpose. Let’s keep building a Newaygo County that thrives on conservation, connection, and creativity.” State Representative Joseph Fox offered a few words about his lifetime interest in birding followed by a ribbon cutting ceremony. After the symbolic opening Terry (Birdgoober) Grabill delivered a bit of Birding 101. Grabill explained some of the birding basics including tools such as binoculars and handy apps available to help identify birds by sound as well as sight. Marie Rust followed up with a presentation that guided attendees through the nearly 40 sites that make up the trail. The well-designed trail maps made an impressive debut showcasing the dozens of sites throughout the county. While many are part of familiar landmarks some of the locations may surprise people. Terry and Andrea Grabill, Charles Chandler and Marie Rust were the foursome on the spearheading committee who brought this idea to fruition. A quartet of birders who recognize the tourism opportunities birding provides given its ever-increasing popularity and sought out the support needed to make it happen. But the main course for the four was the opportunity to help bring the sport they love to others. To provide easily accessed guidance aimed at enhancing the experience for newcomers or even first timers. Learn more about the trail: https://newaygocountyexploring.com/birding-trail/ The Birding Trail maps are available at the Newaygo County Welcome Center.
 The Birding Trail Committee, Back Row: Marie Rust, Andrea Grabil Terry Grabil and Charles Chandler. Front row: Ruby. |
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