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Michigan Historical Commission approves tribute to Meijer family

Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer
Monday, May 13th, 2013, 2:44pm
Michigan Historical Commission approves tribute to Meijer family

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.— Grand Rapids is getting another tribute to the men behind Meijer Stores.

On May 8, the Michigan Historical Commission approved a marker to honor Hendrik and Fred Meijer, who in 1962 became the first grocers to combine two popular retail models—discount department stores and supermarkets—into a single store on 28th Street, called “Thrifty Acres.”  The Meijers then took their model to Holland and Muskegon. 

Meijer now has nearly 200 stores across the Midwest, including Kalamazoo, Walker, Wyoming, Jenison, Rockford, Plainfield Township, Forest Hills, Lowell, Grandville, Kentwood, Grand Haven and Greenville, where Hendrik Meijer opened his very first store in the 1930s.

The new historical marker will be added to more than 1,700 green and gold signs found across the state, that chronicle the people, places and events that make Michigan’s heritage unique and unforgettable.  The historical markers are nominated by spons

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Author Tricia McDonald leads writing workshop May 11

Submitted by Larry Halverson, Contributing Writer
Wednesday, May 1st, 2013, 12:10pm
Author Tricia McDonald leads writing workshop May 11

GRAND HAVEN, Mich.-- Loutit District Library is accepting reservations to a writing workshop with published author Tricia L. McDonald.

The writing workshop will take place May 11 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the library's Program Room A. The lesson is designed to help potential writers get started, stay focused, and keep the 'writing gremlins' at bay. McDonald will also share easy ways to keep writing from falling to the bottom of the list. Whether a beginning or established writer, this workshop will energize writers to put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard.

A $10 material fee includes a copy of McDonald’s instructional book. "Quit Whining Start Writing". Registration closes May 6. To register, visit the attendant in LDL's Public Computing room. For more information, visit http://www.loutitlibrary.org/ or call (616) 842-5560, ext.

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Grand Haven Area Sailing Club announces new family sailing program

Submitted by ehorton on Friday, April 26th, 3:30 pm
Grand Haven Area Sailing Club announces new family sailing program

GRAND HAVEN, Mich. -- The Grand River Sailing Club (GRSC) is launching a family sailing program beginning June 3, 2013.  

Building on the popularity of its WINCHES women’s sailing initiative, GRSC’s family sailing program will place emphasis on sailing fundamentals, water safety and the importance of every member of the family having the confidence and knowledge to be a crew member on a sailing excursion.

The program kicks off in June with three 90-minute workshops in an interactive classroom setting held at GRSC’s clubhouse. Topics will include basics of water safety and wind, boat control and sailing skills taught by veteran GRSC sailors. Once families complete the classroom workshops, they will join GRSC members on Lake Michigan during Monday Night “lite” racing to learn the fundamentals of boat handling.

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Taste and tour Michigan food with author April 25

Submitted by Larry Halverson, Contributing Writer
Monday, April 22nd, 2013, 11:00am
Taste and tour Michigan food with author April 25

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.

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Business start-up workshop at Spring Lake District Library April 27

Submitted by Lisa Donner on Friday, April 19th, 11:00 am
Business start-up workshop at Spring Lake District Library April 27

SPRING LAKE, Mich.--When jobs are difficult to find, people often consider starting their own business.

But many don't know how to get started. The first step is to plan on attending the workshop “Fundamentals for Starting a Business: Six Week Start-Up” on Saturday, April 27 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Spring Lake District Library.  This free workshop will include an overview of what it takes to start your own business. Local SCORE business counselor John Brocci will present the steps you'll need to take to successfully launch a new business in today's economy.

While there is no cost to attend the workshop pre-registration is required as seating is limited. Register online at www.sllib.org or call 616.846.5770.

SCORE is a nonprofit organization that offers free and confidential business counseling, mentoring, and training to entrepreneurs and small businesses nationwide.

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Canoeing author shares his experiences at Loutit District Library April 18

Submitted by Larry Halverson, Contributing Writer
Wednesday, April 17th, 2013, 11:00am
Canoeing author shares his experiences at Loutit District Library April 18

GRAND HAVEN, Mich. -- The public is invited to the Loutit District Library on Thursday, April 18 to join PBS-featured author and life-long Michigan resident Doc Fletcher as he presents his canoeing and kayaking program titled "Paddle Now, Chores Later.”  

The program is free to the public and held in the LDL’s Program Room A from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Among the rivers featured will be the Pere Marquette, the subject of Doc's 2013 book. The program will also focus on the U.P.'s Two Hearted River, a gorgeous stream that flows into Lake Superior, and how it  is recovering from the 2012 Duck Lake fire, the third largest fire in Michigan's history.

At the end of Fletcher's program, a free drawing will be held and one person will win a gift certificate good for a free canoe or kayak day trip.

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National Library Week Coming Up - April 14-20

Submitted by Larry Halverson, Contributing Writer
Thursday, April 11th, 2013, 11:00am
National Library Week Coming Up - April 14-20

GRAND HAVEN, MI -- The week of April 14-20, the Loutit District Library (LDL) will join libraries in schools, campuses and communities nationwide in celebrating National Library Week, a time to highlight the value of libraries, librarians and library workers.  

Libraries today are more than repositories for books and other resources. Often the hearts of communities, campuses, or schools, libraries are deeply committed to the places where their patrons live, work and study. Libraries are trusted places where everyone in the community can gather to reconnect and reengage with each other to enrich and shape the community and address local issues. 

Librarians work with elected officials, small business owners, students and the public at large to discover what their communities needs are and meet them.

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