WGVU Public Media, a non-profit, non-commercial public media station, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The organization offers television, radio, digital content, and educational services—without cost—to 28 counties in West Michigan.
Continue reading WGVU Celebrates its 50th AnniversaryRoom to Roam: Whitetail Woods Regional Park Celebrates Grand Opening
Years of planning, strategy and preparation finally came to a head, as Dakota County, MN officials officially unveiled Whitetail Woods Regional Park—the county’s first regional park in three decades—on a sunny September afternoon.
As visitors flew kites, listened to live music, and enjoyed horse-drawn wagon rides, they described their impressions enthusiastically: “Beautiful.” “Great for families.” “Nature-filled.” “Big spaces.”
Emphasis on the “big”—456 acres, to be exact. Whitetail Woods offers over 10 miles of summer hiking trails and over 6 miles of ski trails traversing rolling prairie, pine forest, wetlands, and Empire Lake.
But an even more fitting descriptor for Whitetail Woods might be “one-of-a-kind.” Top of the List’s Audrey Flack attended the park’s grand opening festivities with her family and noted several standout features that make the park, in her words, “worth the drive.” Here are few of her top picks:
Fawn Crossing Nature Play Area
For kids, Fawn Crossing Nature Play Area offers a change of pace from the traditional playground, using the landscape itself to encourage creative play. Hills, hollows, and rock walls become places to build forts, play with sand, pump water, and jump across tree stumps and logs. Flack and her two young sons took full advantage of these opportunities:
And to help ease the wintertime doldrums, the hilly portion of the play area becomes a 915-foot lighted sledding hill. Post-sledding, groups can use a nearby king-size outdoor fireplace to toast smores beneath the stars.
“Treehouse”-style camper cabins
Open for just one month, Whitetail Woods’ one-of-a-kind camper cabins have made a big impact. When reservations opened at 10 a.m. December 1, there were 45 requests within the first 60 seconds. The three cabins have sold out completely through April 2015.
The cabins offer soaring views of the surrounding forest, while still remaining ADA compliant. Each cabin houses up to six people on simple full-size and twin day beds and can be used year-round.
Looking ahead: A regional destination
At the Whitetail Woods grand opening, visitors learned of future plans for the park, including a paved trail around Empire Lake, an arbor for weddings, a dog park, disc golf course, visitor center, lighted ski trail, and up to 30 camper cabins. Programming for children and adults began in the fall, which attracts visitors from across the county and beyond.
A nature-lover at heart, Flack is eager to return. “Connecting with nature has been a key form of stress relief throughout my life,” she said. “I can’t wait to share the beauty of Whitetail Woods with my boys as they grow.”
True dog lovers regard their pets as family members–and Karry Barolo from Traverse City, Michigan is among these ranks. She felt guilty leaving her two dogs — Daisy, a Lab-Chow mix, and Oscar, a Beagle mix — when she went to work every day. “Dogs have such a pure love for their owners. And I was missing out on that relationship,” said Karry. So in 2004 she quit her corporate job to work full time alongside her dogs at the business she and her husband Chris had started in their spare time: D.O.G. Bakery.
At the beginning, the Barolos’ new venture faced a skeptical audience. The media and potential wholesalers didn’t take the “dog bakery” concept seriously, doubting that such a niche business could survive. “In our early years, the articles written about D.O.G. Bakery had a silly angle that seemed to make fun of us,” Karry said. “Now we’re portrayed as a legitimate business and a resource for dog owners. It’s one thing I’m very proud of: the value is real.”
To celebrate 10 years in business, the bakery planned a huge outdoor party for the community’s dogs and their owners, complete with games, dog treats, popcorn and grilled hot dogs. To top off the event, “Bisquit,” the ‘human’ dog, led a parade from the bakery to the local dog park.
Once at the dog park, the Barolos held a raffle for a year of free dog treats. Proceeds from the raffle were donated to a fund that helped provide landscaping and running water to the dog park. “We are so grateful for our supportive community. Donating the raffle funds to make the dog park better was the best way we could thank them,” said Karry.
D.O.G. Bakery officially opened on May 1, 2004 in a small space in back of a retail strip mall. Low visibility prompted a move to Traverse City’s main street downtown in 2006.
“That’s when things really took off,” Karry said. The uptick in business led the bakery to expand: its original space now houses the bakery operation, and an adjacent space is used for retail.
The boost in foot traffic is only part of the story behind D.O.G. Bakery’s growth: building a website their first year in business helped the operation develop a national customer base. The Barolos not only provide products to individuals with dogs, but also sell wholesale to stores and businesses across the country–including Hawaii. All this growth required employees, and D.O.G. Bakery currently has nine.
As the pet industry continues to grow, D.O.G. Bakery stands out for its focus on dog health and nutrition. “We want what’s best for the dog,” said Karry. “So we’ve worked very hard to come up with recipes that have no preservatives but have a longer shelf life.”
All treats are handmade without any machinery. “We bake 7 days a week, from 7 am in the morning until 9 pm at night,” Karry explained. “Our saving grace is that we don’t bake at 2 am like traditional bakeries!” And of course there is R & D. With the aid of Karry’s current ‘spoiled rotten’ Tibetan Terriers, Rags and Lucy, the products–including gluten free dog treats, decorated treats, and cakes–receive a rigorous taste-testing so their canine friends can be assured of ultimate flavor in every treat. Last year, dogs throughout the nation gobbled up nearly 8 tons of D.O.G. Bakery treats.
D.O.G.’s retail space has never been just another store: it’s become the ultimate destination for dogs (and their human friends). For starters, not a dog enters the door without getting a free sample. Discerning dogs can even enjoy individual servings of dog ice cream (current special: peanut butter banana), made with low fat yogurt, local honey, and peanut butter and topped with sprinkles and crumbled cookies. While Fido savors his treat, owners can shop a complete line of dog and cat food, toys, and supplies of all kinds.
Over the past 10 years of business, the Barolos have shared in the lives of their customers. On any given day, a visitor to the store might be over the moon introducing a new puppy, or overcome with sadness due to a beloved dog’s passing. Karry considers it a privilege to be part of her customers’ lives. “They know we get it,” she said. “They trust us with their real feelings without having to worry about feeling embarrassed.”
And that, ultimately, is the big payoff. “We’ve been a part of the journey with these animals,” Karry said. “I’m not rich making dog treats, but I’m very rich with experiences.”
A good pick: Afton Apple celebrates 25 years
When September comes around, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more telling sign of the season than the ubiquitous trip to the apple orchard (the Pumpkin Spice Latte might be a close second, but that’s a story for another day …). And as urbanites and suburbanites alike prep for their annual orchard outings, it seems that everyone has a favorite.
Afton Apple is one of the orchards in the Twin Cities Metro that’s gotten it right. Located a few miles north of Hastings, MN, the orchard celebrates its 25th season this year. Owners Frank and Cindy Femling purchased over 190 acres of unmaintained farmland in 1989, steadily transforming the property from a modest pick-your-own apple orchard to a well-known landmark that welcomes over 50,000 visitors during apple season.
You might think that such a large operation would give the orchard an overly commercial feel. Yet the Femlings have carefully maintained the orchard’s rural charm and down-home atmosphere. Top of the List staffer Audrey Flack discovered this firsthand when visiting the orchard with her family on a sunny September weekend. In addition to picking apples, her young sons took full advantage of the unique “retread hill,” petting zoo, and playground:
To celebrate its 25th anniversary, Afton Apple held a weekend-long extravaganza in mid-September. The event featured the famous Dock Dogs, music, face painting, and a beer tent, in addition to giveaways and a 25 percent discount on pick-your-own apples. It also designed its 15-acre corn maze to commemorate the event. The design theme, “Ears to 25 Years,” incorporates an anniversary cake and even the faces of the Femlings themselves.
But perhaps the best way for visitors to celebrate Afton Apple’s milestone anniversary is in the traditional way: with delicious goodies freshly made from the orchard’s harvest!
But this year, you might hear a few more…less conventional terms: Creative. Artist-friendly. And maybe even….Neon?
With the newly-completed Highway 61 bridge, a downtown redevelopment plan recently approved, and a burgeoning theater and arts community, Hastings has a new energy that blends the community’s historic charm with the anticipation of a bright future. And nowhere was this energy more evident than at Rivertown Days, the town’s annual celebration.
You might even say it was “glowing.”
Literally.
Yes, you read that correctly. 2014 marked the first year that the traditional Hastings River Run was revamped as the Glow Run and the official kickoff to the late-July Rivertown Days extravaganza. With a 2K fun run, 8K race, food trucks, children’s obstacle courses, face-painting, and a DJ, the Glow Run attracted a wider audience than the typical road race. Top of the List staffer Audrey Flack couldn’t resist bringing her family to enjoy the festivities—and from the look of things, they enjoyed themselves!
As a mom of two young boys under three, Flack sought out events suited to short attentions spans—and she wasn’t disappointed. “Sometimes I think twice about going to large events with kids this young because it’s so difficult to keep them safe and entertained,” she said. “But I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to get around Rivertown Days.”
Most children’s and child-friendly events centered in Jaycee Park, which lines the Mississippi River and offers a scenic view of the town’s new bridge—and a welcome breeze. A special performance by the Emmy-award-winning Zinghoppers was the highlight of the boys’ trip—rivaled only by the ongoing DockDogs Northern Stars competition!
Flack’s boys had so much fun, they couldn’t stay awake for the multitude of other family-friendly options at the park, including carnival rides, a BMX and skateboard stunt show, demonstrations from the Hastings Police Department’s K-9 Unit, waterski shows from the Shockwaves, and other children’s activities—all on the list for next year!
Even while celebrating the new, Hastings hasn’t forgotten its rich history. With 63 nationally-recognized historic buildings and a bustling downtown district, Hastings blends the old and new in creative ways—and Rivertown Days is no exception. Levee Park, adjacent to the river and downtown, hosts an artists’ bazaar where passerby reflect on a riverside Veterans’ memorial and purchase goods from local artists. Downtown’s many clothing, gift, and specialty stops hold epic Sidewalk Sales, while bars and restaurants bring live music to the streets:
The annual Rivertown Days parade is an extravaganza of classic cars, local businesses and bands—and, of course, candy and treats for the kids!
Flack’s advice? “Set up camp early!” she said. “Preferably somewhere shaded!”
Lest you think that Rivertown Days is just for kids, Flack is quick to note the many activities she “would have loved to attend, but just weren’t feasible for the toddler set!” A riverside beer and wine garden, concert by country super group Hitchville, and Gal Pal Soiree were only some of the festivities best left to the adults.
“Next year,” Flack said, “We’re getting a sitter!”
Planned Parenthood of West and Northern Michigan (PPWNM) is celebrating a half-century of service this year. Like their 25th anniversary celebration, they have some big-time events — past and planned — to recognize their achievements and to pump even more motivation into their supporters to accomplish future goals. This years events include:
Gardens. Held on May 6, the event’s speaker lineup included PPWNM President Katherine Humphrey, and a keynote speaker from the national front, Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) President Cecile Richards.
To provide a glimpse of how far planned parenting has come, birth control was not even legal for unmarried women in 1964 when Planned Parenthood’s grass roots efforts began. It wasn’t even legal for married women in all 50 states. As a result, it was common for women to have 10 or more children in their lifetime. Following are some other major milestones in Planned Parenthood’s history.
1964: With the goal of helping low-income women access family planning services, pioneers Mary Kindle (Mrs. Thomas Kindel) and Helen Martin (Mrs. John Martin) worked feverishly to coordinate meetings and community forums, eventually founding Planned Parenthood Association of Kent County (PPAKC). Mrs. H. B. Shaine was its first board president. 
1965: The first Planned Parenthood center opened, located at 50 Ransom NE. The center held evening hours only, since it was used as a medical facility during the day. It was typical to see 80 women waiting in line outside to access their services. A second clinic opened that same year at 917 Jefferson SE.
Continuing Years: Numerous developments took place over the years, including moves, expansions, locating clinics on college campuses, and closings of clinics as well. Some highlights, lowlights, and major developments during these years include:
Future Challenges Julie McKeiver, Communications Manager at PPWNM, had a laundry list of challenges she sees in the coming years:
“There will always be opposition,” according to McKeiver. “I sometimes question why we must fight so hard in this enlightened age though.”
Educate – Advocate – Provide Health Care
With a primary focus on prevention of unwanted births, sexually transmitted diseases, breast cancer, and other women’s sexual health issues, the PPWNM of today is targeting teens to educate, advocate and remove barriers to health care. Considering the past political climate, they have their work cut out for them. As Cecile Richards mentioned in her keynote, “I believe we will live to see the day when women’s health is no longer a political issue … but it’s been a really tough time.” She later added words of encouragement, particularly in reference to Planned Parenthood of West and Northern Michigan, “For fifty years, you have been helping women plan their lives and follow their dreams. Today let’s launch the next 50!”
CEW Celebration of Women and Film
While plans for celebrating CEW’s 50th anniversary are just beginning, they are kicking things off with a free program including film and festivities at the Michigan Theater on January 14. Included is a program of short films by and about women. Cynthia Wade, Oscar-winning director, will discuss her documentary, “Mondays at Racine.”
Additional Anniversary Year Events
CEW’s website includes diverse information about their programs and services, including one-on-one counseling, a circulating library collection, current research on work and women’s lives, and information on important issues that affect women both on the UM campus and in Michigan.
Their blog states that someone is working on the 50 year history of CEW, so we’ll be sure to update that reference when it becomes available. It is only through the perseverance of organizations like CEW that women of all color have gained their current social standing. There is so much farther to go, so here is to another 50 years, CEW!
One of the largest business anniversary celebrations we’ve seen occurred this year at Steamboat, also known as Ski Town USA and the home of Champagne Powder. Although yours truly didn’t make the January 12 to 21 celebration dates, my ski buddies from the Greater Grand Rapids Ski Club and I made it to the after party last week as shown in the photo.
We also got to chat with the nice folks at Steamboat Today, who put on a very informative morning show on TV 18, shown in the other photo.
Promotions Galore
This post would be miles long if it listed all of Steamboat’s promotions for their big celebration, so here is a shortened summary:
Steamboat’s History
Steamboat was founded by Jim Temple and John Fetcher, local ranchers with a love of skiing. The town reflects this today, with its shops touting both ski and ranch sundries, apparel and supplies.
Scouting began in 1955, when Temple enlisted some of his best skiers to determine the best routes down the mountain. After much planning and work, the ski area officially opened Jan 12, 1963 with Storm Mountain Express, a double lift with an A-frame warming hut. Revenue on their opening day was a whopping $13.75 which may not have been that bad since the temperature was 25 degrees below zero.
Today Steamboat encompasses 2,965 acres, with 165 runs and 23 lifts. Not sure on their daily revenue today, but a local saying is that if you want to make a million in Steamboat, come there with 2 million.
A Michigan Recommendation
Steamboat is definitely the place to go for powder, at least it was on our ski trip. Many of us from Michigan also like groomed corduroy runs to take a break from learning how to ski on the powder. Although grooming there is top notch, it is only done at night. When it snows all day, it means powder all day, on every slope. So for your next anniversary Steamboat – or even before then – why not groom some runs during the day for us “sissy” corduroy skiers?
Join us in congratulating Steamboat on their 50th anniversary!
