Suggestion Box: Ballet, Boxing, a Bit of Piano, a few Eggs and the Spring Craft Show Season Starts

By Ken DeLaat

One of the most awaited shows of the year comes to the Dogwood Center this Saturday afternoon at 3pm when the GR Ballet Junior Company  presents Beauty and the Beast.
There is nothing quite like taking a young person to the ballet. We have brought children and grandchildren over the years and the experience has always been highly enjoyable and at times even a bit adventurous depending on the age group of our guests.
I had a chance to see the show Friday morning  when it was performed for some area 6th graders  and it is indeed a sparkling show with imaginative costuming and sets, dozens of talented dancers and a storyline that puts a fresh look on a familiar tale.
Look, this is one of those perfect Spring things to do so call the box office and get yourself a great time at a bargain price of just $17.50 a ticket and just a mere fiver for 18 and under.
Think of it. You can bring a quartet of grandchildren to the show for less than it would set you back for  a single ticket to Michigan Adventures. On top of that one arrives home significantly less exhausted than one might after a day at the amusement park.
https://www.nearnorthnow.com/features-and-fun/beauty-and-the-beast-ballet-at-dogwood-on-april-13

There is something so ultra cool and Sinatraish about listening to live piano music in a casual setting. It can be an ambience enhancing addition to the atmosphere of the moment all the while  providing a pleasant backdrop to pleasing company.
Keyboard artist Isaac Schneider takes to the Newaygo Brewing Co. stage as the latest guest in their Acoustic Lunch Series this Saturday from noon to 3pm. Isaac is fast becoming a local favorite on the ivories so don’t miss the chance to give his play a bit of a listen while enjoying a bite and a brew. Downtown Newaygo.

The thing about boxing?
There’s not much middle ground. You either embrace the sport or vilify it and once you peel off the crowd that has moved to the mixed martial arts/cage fighting genre where it’s nearly all action, the fans of traditional pugilistic performance become fewer albeit generally quite knowledgeable about the sport.
I am not at all knowledgeable about fisticuffs and personally the last fight I was in I won by about 6 blocks.
However, if you are an aficionado of the glove game this weekend is the State Golden Gloves finals at the DeltaPlex in GR where the states top amateur boxers vie for the title. Friday and Saturday.

The Village of Howard City is hosting their annual Easter Egg Hunt for children 12 and under at Ensley Park beginning at 1pm. There will be bikes and other prizes to win and over 5,000 eggs will be available to find. You can register for prizes  the day of the event and you must be present to win.

The Fremont Rec Center has a different twist on the old Egg Hunt thing with an egg splash held at the pool from 9am to noon when about a thousand plastic eggs are there for the swimmers. The Huge Hare known as The Easter Bunny will be on hand we hear and there will be face painting and a coloring station. Cost is $5 per child. Call 924-3750 for more info.
​
Saturday will be a mostly sunny though a bit cool so it looks like an ideal time to get out and begin hiking like you promised yourself all winter.
The North Country Trail folks, a fine group of trail enthusiasts are inviting people to join them Saturday at 10am for a little stretch of the legs involving a 5.5 mile trek through some mighty fine landscape.
They will convene at Birch Grove Schoolhouse on the corner of Felch and 5 mile and indicate the path to be taken is wooded with even terrain and a few small hills.For more info and to sign up contact Nancy VanWinkle at [email protected].

On Saturday Grant Christian School (12931 Poplar Ave) is  hosting their annual Spring craft show with close to 50 vendors on hand plying a variety of creative goods and services. We spotted opportunities from cookies to candles, honey to home products, and syrup to soap besides an array of needlework designs, jewelry, games, clothing, pet goods and more. Starts at 10am and runs until 2pm.

Moss Ridge Golf Club on Apple Ave also has a craft show going on Saturday from 9am-3pm. Inside, of course,  and offering over 50 vendors though likely not the same vendors as those at Grant Christian so you may need to hit both.
​Have a great weekend.

Quote of the week:
​“Laughter and tears are both responses to frustration and exhaustion. I myself prefer to laugh, since there is less cleaning up to do afterward.”-Kurt Vonnegut

Suggestion Box is sponsored by Newaygo Brewing Co a place to have good food, good drink, and good times