GRAND HAVEN, Mich.  – The public is invited to join author Jaye Beeler and photographer Dianne Carroll Burdick April 25 for a photo tour, talk and tasting based on their delicious book, Tasting and Touring Michigan's Homegrown Food: A Culinary Roadtrip  at the Loutit District Library.

Through storytelling and spectacular photography, Beeler and Burdick spotlight Michigan's culinary landscape from Lake Michigan's fruit belt to urban farms in Detroit. Attendees can  nibble their way through the culinary journey with Beeler's pesto and other favorite foods.

The free presentation will take place in Program Room A from 7 p.m.

(Detroit Pistons) – Does your library or gym need a new look?

Here’s your chance to win a makeover in the School Makeover contest from the Detroit Pistons and NBA Live, Learn or Play, presented by Farm Bureau Insurance.

The School Makeover, presented by Farm Bureau Insurance and the Detroit Pistons, is accepting submissions from elementary and middle schools in the state of Michigan, through June 1. Submissions at www.nba.com/pistons/farm-bureau-school-makeover should include at least four images of the school’s library or gymnasium to be considered in the selection process.

“Farm Bureau Insurance agents are involved in their local communities all across the state. Michigan isn’t just a market for us, it is our home,” said Vic Verchereau, Farm Bureau Insurance vice president of Marketing. “We firmly believe in supporting safe and clean learning environments for our youth.

SPRING LAKE, Mich. – The Rowing Club at Grand Valley State University now has a floating reminder of a crew member who lost her life in a car crash.

On April 12,  GVSU rowers dedicated their newest boat at the Spring Lake Yacht Club to Rachel Ring.  Ring joined the GVSU women’s novice rowing team in the fall of 2011.  She died weeks later.

Ring’s family donated funds for the boat, which is named the Rachel Ring, 1991-2011.  They joined team members, coaches and university administrators Friday to unveil the boat.  University President Thomas Haas presided over the dedication ceremony.

A day after the dedication, the Rachel Ring competed in its inaugural race at the annual Lubbers Cup Regatta.   The GVSU women’s teams won every race that was not cancelled.