CEW, Center for the Education of Women, is part of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. This group has come a long way since their establishment in 1964 as a pioneering university women’s center. Yet their mission remains the same: to encourage and enhance the education and careers of adult women through programs and services, advocacy and research.

CEW Celebration of Women and Film
While plans for celebrating CEW’s 50^th 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

• Women and Economic Security: Changing Policy and Practice, May 14-16, 2014
  3 day interdisciplinary, multi-sector conference that focuses on removing barriers for women living in poverty as they seek economic security and mobility.
• Friends and Scholars Weekend, Oct 17-18, 2014
  A recognition of the 2014 CEW scholars that also provides opportunities for former scholars and fellows  to reconnect.
• Zora Neale Hurston Lecture: Alice Walker, November 5, 2014
  Alice Walker will explore justice issues from both a womanist and black feminist angle. Sponsored in conjunction with the Department of Afroamerican and African Studies.

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!

This year, West Michigan furniture company Klingman’s celebrates it’s 117th year in business. Founded in 1896 by Philip J. Klingman, the retailer’s name is widely recognized in Grand Rapids and the the greater West Michigan Area.

In celebration of it’s 117th anniversary, Klingman’s Furniture is hosting an Anniversary Sale featuring record-low prices on many fine furnishings. Some of the savings found at the year-long savings event include:

• Half off dining room tables with the purchase of four chairs
• Half off all beds with the purchase of two case pieces
• A bonus coupon for an additional 20% off any one item
• A Stearns and Fosters pick two program that allows you to pick any two of the following options with purchase: Free Delivery, Free Bed Frame, Free Mattress Pad, Free Removal & Disposal, or Free Financing
• And much more!

The rich history of the company and it’s struggles over the past few years have made this anniversary even more reason to celebrate.

What started out as a man selling furniture samples at the Grand Rapids Market turned into what would soon become West Michigan’s largest privately owned fine furnishing company. However, the company faced a huge threat back in 2010, when the company was forced into bankruptcy.

The store was forced to close it’s doors at  Roger’s Plaza, after being moved two years earlier from it’s original location at Centerpointe Mall, and quickly liquidated its assets  But the Klingman’s brand has re-emerged after being revived by new owners. The Klingman’s showroom that Grand Rapids knows and loves is now located at 2984 28th Street SE in Kentwood.

Congratulations to Klingman’s Furniture for holding strong in West Michigan since 1896 – your 117th anniversary is one to celebrate!

Located in Hastings, Minnesota, Regina Medical Center is a leader in compassionate patient care. The center offers a wide range of medical services, from Hospital services with a full surgical staff and emergency services, to senior living services, as well as more common patient services like physical therapy, medical imaging, and lab work.

This year marks Regina Medical Center’s 60th Anniversary, and the center was happy to celebrate this momentous occasion with members of the community. The center hosted a 60th Anniversary Community Celebration, which took place on the Regina Medical Center campus in Hastings on August 17, 2013.

The Anniversary Celebration welcomed all members of the community with a free picnic dinner, including burgers, chips, cookies, and fruit. Lemonade was also served, which was a big hit with the temperatures soaring on the hot summer day.

There was plenty to do for the kids at the event, with a variety of children’s games, a dunk tank, a bouncing castle, a giant inflatable slide, and an obstacle course. In addition to fun and games for the kids, adults could take part in hip hop dancing and other healthy activities in the exercise tent.

The event featured a live band, The Castaways, playing classic music from the 50’s and 60’s. There were also several community booths, demonstrating different programs available at Regina Medical Center, as well as highlighting additional sponsors of the event.

Congratulations to Regina Medical Center on 60 years of dedication to patient care and community outreach!

History

Fenn Valley is the oldest vineyard in Michigan. After researching the property and the process of winemaking, the site of the Fenn Valley Vineyards was purchased in 1973 by the Welsch family from Chicago. The 230 acre farm was originally a struggling fruit farm, which was cleared to make way for the vineyard. The first grapes were planted in 1974, and Fenn Valley Vineyards was born.  Today, it is still family owned and operated, producing up to 400 tons of grapes and 60,000 gallons of wine annually.

About

Growing grapes in Michigan to produce wine is not an easy task.  The conditions must be perfect- sandy soil, moderate winter and summer temperatures, and rolling terrain to allow for natural airflow. Also, from the time the vines are planted, to when the grapes are ready for full harvest, is 5 years.  Grape vines typically only survive in the Michigan climate for about 25 years, so the vineyard is constantly being replanted.  However, with 40 years of experience, Fenn Valley is able to produce world-class wine, even in Michigan’s difficult climate.

Fenn Valley produces red wines, white wines, specialty wines, and fruit wines. Both the red and white wines are well balanced, premium wines, which pair well with food. The red wines display a slight fruit forward note, the white wines are crisp, and the fruit wines are slightly sweet and refreshing.

Events

There are several ways to experience Fenn Valley and sample their delicious wines:

• Visit their tasting room, where you can sample four different wines as well    as the “wine of the day”
• Participate in their Vineyard Tour or Wine and Food Tour, and learn about    growing and winemaking processes, complemented by a wine tasting.
• Attend an event where you can mingle with other wine lovers, enjoy            delicious food with the winemaker, and sample a variety of wines

• Wine Festival and Open House
• Lunch with the Winemaker
• Winemaker’s Dinners
• Summer Evening Cook-outs
• Girl’s Afternoon Out
• Pre-Release Wine and Food Pairings
• The Vine Wine’d 5k and Post Race Cookout
• Chili Cook-Off
• Nouveau Fest

Awards

Fenn Valley has received numerous domestic and international awards on their wines, too many to mention.  Most recently, in 2012 they received over 60 medals, including 15 Gold medals and 3 Double Gold medals.  The Double Gold medals are the highest distinction and are very difficult to obtain because the judges on two different panels must unanimously award the wine a Gold medal.

• Vignoles Reserve 2011 Semi Dry White Wine – Michigan Wine and Spirits    Competition
• Riesling 2011 – Finger Lakes International Wine Competition
• Merlot 2010 – Tasters Guild International Wine Judging

Fenn Valley Vineyards was also selected by Trip Advisor as a 2013 Certificate of Excellence Winner, which is based on the number of “Excellent” rankings and therefore being voted as the #1 Winery in the area.

Congratulations to Fenn Valley Vineyards & Wine Cellar their 40th anniversary and on 40 Delicously Successful Years!

Cascade Engineering was founded in 1973, by company President and CEO Fred P. Keller, and is headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  Cascade is a manufacturer and leading provider of engineered plastics systems and components, serving a multitude of industries. In addition to manufacturing, they offer design, development, and coordination of logistics, providing customers with complete service.  Cascade Engineering is nationally recognized for sustainable business practices and high quality, focusing on the Triple Bottom Line – having a positive impact on people, the planet, and profit. Today, Cascade Engineering is a global company, with 15 locations, 13 strategic businesses, and over 1100 employees, serving an array of industries including:

• CK technologies – Manufactures large plastic injection components used for commercial truck applications
• Cascade Engineering Automotive Americas – Plastics technology to replace heavier metal interior and exterior parts, resulting in lighter weight vehicles with improved fuel economy
• Cascade Engineering Automotive Europe – Manufactures and assembles plastic injection molded components used for vehicle HVAC, electrical and fuel management systems
• Cascade Cart Solutions – Provides products and services for the solid waste and recycling industry, including bins, rolling carts, front and rear-load commercial containers, lifters, and other service technology solutions
• Extreme RFID – Designs and manufactures RFID tags for harsh environmental conditions
• Cascade Engineering Commercial Products – Commercial seating plastic molding processes like co-injection, multi-shot, 3D suction blow molding, insert molding and fabric adhesion technology
• Invisible Waste Services – Provides valet trash services to multi-family residential communities using the patented “Bench” located near the resident’s front door
• Noble Polymers – Specializing in the development and production of compounded thermoplastic resins
• Decade Products – Provides a complete line of reusable plastic containers and pallets for industrial, agriculture and food processing applications worldwide
• Cascade Renewable Energy –  Provides wind and solar services including site assessments and feasibility studies, system design engineering, project management, installation construction, and technical support
• Cascade Consulting Group – Provides training, mentoring and consulting services to help organizations use sustainable solutions to produce business and community results
• Triple Quest – Manufactures and distributes the HydrAid® BioSand water filter which is capable of providing a family of 10 with safe drinking water for 10 years.

Cascade Engineering has been recognized for their sustainability efforts and accolades, which include:

• Platinum LEED Certified
• Certified “B” Corporation
• Finalist for the 2013 Grand Rapids Area Chamber’s Excellence in Business EPIC award
• Winner of the 2011 Innovation Michigan Lifetime Achievement Award

• City of Grand Rapids, Cascade Engineering Partner in Green Award 2013
• Ergonomic Success Award from the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration 2005
• National Governors Association Distinguished Service Award
• Best Medium Company to Work for in America finalist 2004

Join us in congratulating Cascade Engineering on their 40th anniversary!

Jersey Junction is an iconic ice cream parlor, located at 652 Croswell Avenue SE, in ‘Gaslight Village’ East Grand Rapids, Michigan. It was founded in October of 1963 by Doris ‘Chris’ Van Allsburg.  She originally opened the shop as a storefront for the East End Creamery, which was owned by her husband and his brothers.  Today, Jersey Junction is owned by Elias Olivarez and features West Michigan made Hudsonville ice cream.

From the outside, Jersey Junction resembles a little red train depot. Located at the front of the building is a deck for visitors to relax and enjoy their favorite ice cream; complete with the last remaining and functional gaslight from “Gaslight Village”.

Upon entering Jersey Junction, visitors are greeted by a wall of candy, reminiscent of an old fashioned candy shop, a favorite among the children waiting for their ice cream.  An old fashioned school bench also lines the wall, where visitors can sit. The ice cream parlor is covered in history, displaying Jersey Junction memorabilia as well as early photographs of Ramona Park, Gaslight Village, and more.   Encircling the parlor near the ceiling is a model of the Polar Express, the train from the children’s book authored and illustrated by Doris’s son Chris Van Allsburg, and later made into a Christmas movie starring Tom Hanks. The dining room contains an exact replica of Jersey Junction complete with working lights and a train.

The display also explains how the name Jersey Junction came about.  The word “Jersey” is representative of Jersey cows which are said to produce the best milk and therefore the best ice cream.  The word “Junction” means to come together.  Today, Jersey Junction remains a favorite place for families and friends to come together and enjoy delicious ice cream.

Join us in congratulating Jersey Junction on their 50th anniversary and on 50 deliciously successful years!