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LIFE’S A BEACH: THE LANTHORN’S GUIDE TO THE LAKESHORE
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GET FIT, HEALTHY THE FUN WAY THIS SUMMER
NEWS I A2
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LAKER LIFE I B4
M O N DAY, M AY 2 1 , 2 01 2
FEDERAL STUDENT LOAN INTEREST RATES SET TO DOUBLE JULY 1 Courtesy Photo / gvsu.edu
Finish line: Teen’s present at the final day of last year’s Teen Entrepreneur Summer Academy.
Registration for Teen Entrepreneur Summer Academy approaching BY ANYA ZENTMEYER GVL MANAGING EDITOR
Grand Valley State University will play host to high school students from across West Michigan June 18 to 22 for GVSU’s sixth-annual Teen Entrepreneur Summer Academy, which aims to equip students with knowledge about the business startup process and career opportunities in the field. TESA, sponsored by the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation alongside the Seidman College of Business, culminates with a showcase at the end of the five-day academy, where teams will have a chance to win an iPad and cash prizes totaling at $1,000. Throughout the week, students will learn about creative idea generation, problem solving, marketing techniques, management philosophies, financial strategies and presentation skills through interactive seminars, team building activities, hands-on research and networking with local entrepreneurs. In a press release, TESA’s organizers state that the “skill sets learned at TESA are rarely taught in-depth during high school, and preparing each student with an arsenal of entrepreneurial tools will be advantageous for college admissions and resume building.” Students entering ninth grade through freshman year in college at the Fall 2012 semester are eligible to attend the academy, which is held at GVSU’s Pew Grand Rapids Campus from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. the week of June 18.
SEE ENTREPRENEUR, A4
Rate raise, loss of grace period would translate to additional $1,000 in debt BY Samantha BUTcher GVL Editor in Chief
Despite debates, protests and a Senate vote, interest rates on subsidized Stafford student loans are set to double July 1. In addition to doubling rates, students would also lose a sixmonth grace period, during which the holder does not have to pay interest on the loan and interest does not accumulate. “I need the grade period to find a job, find someplace to live,” said Molly Waite, a senior writing major at Grand Valley State University. “If I had to pay immediately, my parents would try to help, but they’re just as much in debt as I am from medical bills. ... I likely won’t be able to find work fast enough to pay back those loans without the grace period. That grace period was part of the reason I chose federal loans.” According to a release from the White House, the increase would costs students an average of $1,000 in additional student loan debt. A study released in the Federal Reserve Bank’s Quarterly Report on Household Debt and Credit valued Americans’ current outstanding student loan balance at $870 billion, a number that is expected to exceed $1 trillion this year. “I’m poor — extremely poor,” Waite said. “I plan on going on a poverty diet after I graduate so that I can pay off my loan without having to sell my organs.”
GVL / Eric Coulter
Assistance: Financial Aid Counselor Detwann Johnson helps a student over the phone. Interest rates on subsidized Stafford loans are set to double July 1 after a four-year reduction.
According to data collected by GVSU’s Institutional Analysis, the average “per-undergraduate-borrower cumulative principal borrowed” averaged at $26,912 for GVSU students who earned a bachelor’s degree between July 1, 2010, and June 20, 2011, and borrowed at any time during their enrollment. That number includes Stafford loans as well as other federal and private loan debts. In 2007, lawmakers passed the College Cost Reduction and Access Act to decrease interest rates on subsidized Stafford loans through 2011. Although Senate Republicans and Democrats have both expressed a desire to extend the 3.4 percent interest rate on Stafford loans for another year, lawmakers have yet to agree
S E E S T U D E N T LOA N S , A 4
Buoy begins mid-lake research BY Samantha BUTcher GVL Editor in Chief
After a 58-day trial and months of waiting for ideal weather, a WindSentinel research buoy collecting offshore wind data for Grand Valley State University was placed in Lake Michigan earlier this month. The $3.3 million research project is a collaboration between GVSU’s Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center, the Annis Water Resources Institute, Michigan State University and the University of Michigan. Researchers are using the 20-by-10foot, six-ton buoy to collect real-time data on wind, water quality and the flight paths of birds and bats over the Great Lakes, and hope the platform will
help determine whether off-shore wind farms are a viable source of alternative energy. Using LiDAR, a new laser technology, the buoy can collect measurements of wind up to 175 meters high, the same height as next-generation wind turbines now on the market. The mid-lake plateau, where the buoy is placed, is predicted to have a high potential for wind energy, said Jim Edmonson, project manager of the study. “The data collected with have considerable shelf life value for research purposes,” said Arn Boezaart, MAREC director. “Using a floating research platform to collect wind measurements that high up has never been done before on the Great Lakes or in North America. This is also the first time a research
Courtesy Photo / gvsu.edu
buoy of this type will operate this far offshore. Project supporters across North America are eagerly waiting for the research results.” In addition to the research institutions involved, results from the study will be used by the NOAA’s National Weather Service for marine forecasts.
SEE MAREC, A4
Campus tours attract future GV students By Morgan Miller GVL Staff Writer
GVL Archive
On display: GVSU student Patrick Brown leads a tour group.
As students take a less-duty workload during the spring/ summer semester and enjoy the beautiful spring weather, Grand Valley State University admissions work around the clock to draw in potential Lakers, especially during its busiest months in late July, August and weeks leading up to the May 1 application deadline. With the increase in number of prospective students and families requesting tours, admissions has increased the frequency of tours in the Monday through Friday rotation from three to five times a day in order to avoid an increase in length, which currently caps off at 1 hour and 15 minutes and usually hosts around 15 or fewer people. Melanie Retberg, associate director of admissions, coordinates the campus tours and trains the tour guides. She and a group of admissions professionals established the route
that visits GVSU’s most popular buildings like Kelly Family Sports Center, the Recreation Center, Fieldhouse Arena and housing units. “Our campus is very impressive so we’re just trying to show it off,” Retberg said. Retberg said admissions also takes into consideration guests’ feedback when planning the tours. Although she said that most of the feedback is positive, most families mentioned they wanted to see student life and really enjoy visiting the dining halls, the classrooms, lecture halls, Kirkhof and the different styles of housing. To add to the student life display, a bus route has been recently added to the tour. Under the front desk management, GVSU student tour guides lead the tours. Austin Langlois, a junior who has been a tour guide for two years, said student tour guides play an important role
S E E C A M P U S TO U R S , A 4
A2 NEWS
Grand Valley Lanthorn MONDAY, MAY 21, 2012
N E W S E D I TO R L I Z Z Y B A L B OA
NEWS BRIEFS
GV students receive Boren Scholarships Two Grand Valley State University Students received prestigious scholarships to study a foreign language abroad in the 2012-13 academic year. Meagan Roche, an anthropology major from Howell, Mich., will study Wolof, which is spoken in parts of Africa, at the West African Resource Center in Senegal. Matt Brainovich, an international relations major from Rochester, Mich., will study Russian at Novosibirsk State University in Russia. A third GVSU student, Shawn Wooster, was named as an alternate and will study Romanian at Babes-Bolyai University in Romania if another student cannot attend their program.
9 Lakers named Gilman Scholars Nine Grand Valley State University students have been named Gilman Scholars for the summer 2012 semester, and will use their scholarships to study abroad. Collectively, the nine students were awarded $34,500 in scholarships. Three of the scholarship winners will study abroad in Ghana. The other locations are: Thailand, Costa Rica, Jordan, Japan, China and the Dominican Republic. The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program is operated by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the Institute for International Education. GVSU ranks among the top schools in terms of Gilman Scholarship winners.
LIFE IS A BEACH W
ith the temperature rising alongside the summer sunshine, students at Grand Valley State University have no better place to turn to for some relief from the heat than one of many Lake Michigan beaches. From bustling beach towns to quiet shoreline getaways, the Lanthorn has highlighted some of the best beaches near GVSU’s Allendale Campus.
Take a hike at Rosy Mound
GV donates trophies to Special Olympics Grand Valley State University donated 70 trophies from past tournaments and events to the Michigan Special Olympics summer games, scheduled from May 31 to June 2. The trophies will be awarded to gold, silver and bronze Olympic champions. Bob Stoll, Bart Bartels and Sally Vissers coordinated to organize the donation. Vissers, department coordinator for Women and Gender Studies, and her husband have been Special Olympics volunteers for more than two decades.
WHAT’S INSIDE SECTION A News Opinion
SECTION B A2 A3
Sports Laker Life Marketplace A&E
B1 B4 B5 B6
I
f you’re looking for a little bit of sweat-equity, the 0.7 mile hike from Rosy Mound’s parking area to the Lake Michigan shoreline is well worth the trek, which includes 1,000 feet of stairs up and down the Great Lakes dune blowout there, along the Lake Michigan shoreline. With 164 acres of land complete with a boardwalk trail throughout the dunes, this natural area offers a little bit of solitude during the busy beach season. Distance from GVSU: 20.3 mi (about 35 mins)
CORRECTIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS At the Lanthorn we strive to bring you the most accurate news possible. If we make a mistake, we want to make it right. If you find any errors in fact in the Lanthorn, let us know by calling 616-331-2464 or by emailing editorial@lanthorn.com.
Food, sand and fun in Grand Haven
Lanthorn Volume 46, Number 62 The Grand Valley Lanthorn is published twice-weekly by Grand Valley State University students 62 times a year. One copy of this newspaper is available free of charge to any member of the Grand Valley Community. For additional copies, please contact our business offices. POSTMASTER: Please send form 3579 to Grand Valley Lanthorn, 0051 Kirkhof, Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI, 49401
EDITORIAL STAFF Editor-in-Chief SAMANTHA BUTCHER Managing Editor ANYA ZENTMEYER News Editor LIZZY BALBOA Sports Editor BRADY FREDERICKSEN Assistant Sports Editor JON VAN ZYTVELD
ADVERTISING STAFF
Laker Life Editor BRIANA DOOLAN
Advertising Manager KEVIN HAUSFELD
A & E Editor STEPHANIE ALLEN
Asst. Advertising Manager ANGELA CAROLLO
Image Editor
Account Managers MICHELLE SCHEFFERS TYLER SCHNEIDER
Assistant Image Editor
Ad Designers NATALIE PATTERSON
Layout Editor
BUSINESS STAFF
ERIC COULTER ROBERT MATHEWS
G
rand Haven, one of Michigan’s most popular beaches, is not only good for catching quality rays on the shoreline, but is known for its host of lively outdoor recreation, including shops and eateries in its downtown area, a number of festivals and events, its boardwalk and piers as well as its lighthouses — not to mention the world’s largest musical fountain. Distance from GVSU: 23.4 mi (about 38 mins)
JULIE SHEERAN Web Team TY BAILLIE THOMAS LEE
Camp Out at Holland State Park
Business Manager ALEX HOUSEMAN Receptionists SHANTI COLLINS ANGILEENA GIBSON Distribution THOMAS LEE STEPHEN PRATT STEVEN MERDZINSKI
PLEASE RECYCLE
F
or those who want more than just a day at the beach, Holland State Park is a great place to start. The Lake Macatawa campground offers up 211 traditional campsites while the Beach Campground hosts 98 paved campsites, with 31 of those equipped for full hook-ups, tucked away between sand dunes. Both Lake Macatawa and Beach Campground sites are within 50 feet of shoreline swimming. Distance from GVSU: 25.9 mi (about 52 mins)
**Information from www.michigan.org and www.miottawa.org
A3 OPINION
Grand Valley Lanthorn MONDAY, MAY 21, 2012
L A N T H O R N O P I N I O N O N L I N E AT L A N T H O R N . C O M VA L L E Y VOT E : Should the U.S. government cut other social programs to fund a oneyear freeze for student loan interest rates?
L AST I S S U E ’ S Q U E ST I O N : Will you miss the Admiral gas station on Fulton Street?
Vote online at lanthorn.com
Y E S 19% N O 81%
EDITORIAL
CRYING UNCLE
I
n a nation where the only way to secure a steady career is through a college degree (and even then, nothing is guaranteed), the U.S. government has somehow managed to take another stride in the wrong direction, making the process of getting a college degree more difficult yet. Beginning July 1, interest rates on subsidized Stafford Loans are set to double, and the current six-month grace period that makes it so the holder does not have to pay interest on the loan – that’s getting axed, too. Politicians on both sides are using the issue to leverage youth votes in what is
guaranteed to be the most contentious election year yet, but students’ financial well-being is coming at the cost of political agendas. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are playing political chicken, daring each other to either cut precious programs or be the party responsible for the rise in interest rates, but it’s the economy that will ultimately pay the price. No matter what school of economics you subscribe to, everybody agrees that pumping money into the economy is necessary to thrive, but slamming students with large bills the instant they graduate from school — regardless of whether they can
Lanthorn
Debate over doubling student loan rates a partisan game of chicken that will only hurt students, economy find a job or not — isn’t going to stimulate anything, besides growing resentment. The White House reported that the increase would cost students an additional $1,000 in loan debt while the Federal Reserve Bank’s Quarterly Report on Household Debt and Credit put outstanding student loan balance at $870 billion. To add insult to injury, that number is expected to exceed $1 trillion this year. And although lawmakers made strides in 2007 with the College Cost Reduction and Access Act, which decreased interest rates on subsidized Stafford loans through 2011, this just seems like backtracking.
With more than 7 million undergrads relying on federally subsidized loans to pay for college each year, it goes without saying that the largest problem facing our current collegiate generation is the increasingly insurmountable student loan debt that many grads find themselves drowning in post-graduation. With such a bleak picture on the horizon for undergrads, these counter-productive measures are only going to steer more high school graduates away from the traditional four-year degree, which loses its value with each new crisis carried on the backs of middle class hopefuls and their families.
GVL EDITORIAL CARTOON I BY DAN SILLS
The student-run newspapers at Grand Valley State University
EDITORIAL PAGE BOARD SAMANTHA BUTCHER ANYA ZENTMEYER KEVIN HAUSFELD
Editor in Chief Managing Editor Advertising Manager
GVL OPINION POLICY The ultimate goal of the Grand Valley Lanthorn opinion page is to stimulate discussion and action on topics of interest to the Grand Valley Community. Student opinions do not reflect those of the Grand Valley Lanthorn. The Grand Valley Lanthorn welcomes reader viewpoints and offers three vehicles of expression for reader opinions: letters to the editor, guest columns and phone responses. Letters must include the author’s name and be accompanied by current picture identification if dropped off in person. Letters will be checked by an employee of the Grand Valley Lanthorn.
Letters appear as space permits each issue. The limit for letter length is one page, single spaced. The editor reserves the right to edit and condense letters and columns for length restrictions and clarity. All letters must be typed. The Grand Valley Lanthorn will not be held responsible for errors that appear in print as a result of transcribing handwritten letters or e-mail typographic errors. The name of the author may be withheld for compelling reasons. The content, information and views expressed are not approved by nor necessarily represent those of the university, its Board of Trustees, officers, faculty and staff.
dsills@lanthorn.com
Beach bums beware: there are rules at the shore
BY BRADY FREDERICKSEN GVL SPORTS EDITOR
I
sn’t it great working up a sweat just walking from you car to your apartment? With Grand Valley State University commonly being engulfed in gale-force winds, the summer heat is a welcome change. We love the summer because it’s one of the last times that students, you know, as almostworking adults, get an extended period of time to do absolutely nothing. With Allendale being a
less-than-exciting locale for students in the summer — and with downtown Grand Rapids being a less-than-cheap alternative — we revert to the simple stuff for entertainment. Take the beach for example, a young adult’s dream locale. What’s not to like about the beach? It’s got attractive people (for the most part), it’s well within driving distance, you can rid yourself of that pasty-white overcoat you call skin and you get to enjoy Lake Michigan. It’s a win-win-win-win situation. Despite its glory, the beach isn’t just some socially lawless place for enjoyment — there are some rules that go with it. I’m not talking about the ones that might force you to fill a water bottle with vodka, no,
I’m talking about how you act out there. Listen, it’s great that people think being a beach bum is easy, but the truth is it’s just not. First off, you’re almost an adult — ditch the boogie and skim boards. They were really cool before you could drive, but at this point, you and your hairy chest should be nowhere near the water’s edge on a small wooden board. Leave it to the kids to fall on their butts numerous times, not you. You’ve also got to leave the music at home. I love music — I’m listening to music as I type this — but no one else really cares that you want to sunbathe with Justin Bieber’s “Boyfriend” blaring in the
background. The beach is a place to relax, not listen to small Canadian boys rap (I honestly don’t hate that song… but that stays between us, kapeesh?) With that relaxing, there’s one main skill you must master. Don’t worry about being the guy who flexes when he picks up his football or the girl who bends down to touch the sand, as if her feet don’t already tell her it’s 1,000 degrees. You must be able to people watch, and I mean that in a totally non-creepy way. Well, no, people watching is just creepy — but there are ways to make it totally legit. First, invest in sunglasses, those will be your BFF in this whole act. Then, you need someone else, because you can’t do this
thing alone. The more people who are sitting around staring, the less glaring and weird it feels for the subjects. Once you’ve got your friends, your shades and your headquarters on the beach, it’s all about being able to scout stuff out. You’re going to have to avoid staring at the attractive beachgoers the entire time, but trying to read lips is always a plus. Last summer, I watched a girl dump her boyfriend on the beach, armed with a plethora of profanity and a handful of sand. It’s a dangerous place out there. Plus, the sunburn is terrible. Good luck this summer, you beach bums. sports@lanthorn.com
The Hipster Cookbook: cracking what makes a hipster
BY CHRISTINE COLLERAN GVL COLUMNIST
H
ave you ever wondered what’s in a hipster? I know I have. This summer the streets of Grand Rapids seem to be crawling with them, and I’m not sure how I feel about it. Eying ingredients has never been my strong point, but if had to guess how to make a hipster, I’m betting they would come together a little like this: Begin with a heaping dose of
homeless person. Add a pair of thick-rimmed glasses, mix. (At this point, mixture may look like a cross between Einstein and Jesus Christ — this is what you are going for.) Add three cans of Pabst Blue ribbon, stir vigorously, add another. (If facial hair has yet to disguise the mixture entirely, add PBR as needed.) Cover mixture with vinyl record and store in a coffee shop over night. (WARNING: Do not store mixture in a mainstream coffee shop. Starbucks is a hipster’s Kryptonite, they will die). When mixture has settled, your hipster should have bed head, leave this be. Stir in a pair of Doc Martens. Strain mixture with plain
white tee, while wearing a white tee. (If you are male the tee must have a deep V neckline showing the slightest amount of that trendy chest hair) Throw in a few thousand funky-patterned scarves. (Oh go on, throw in a few more.) Lastly, separate mixture into various sized mason jars. (Recycling, ladies and gentleman!) Finally, never use the word hipster when referring to your hipster. They prefer to think of themselves as those who have the sense to avoid conforming to the latest trends. Now this recipe isn’t fool proof, nor does every hipsterish person I’ve met love PBR or
sport Doc Martens. But think about it, I’m sure you can come up with a few people you know who fit the hipster criteria above. What really bothers me about hipster-like people is the I-don’t-give-a-shit attitude regarding social norms and conventions, when they are so clearly following a huge social trend. Go ahead and listen to vinyl records and indie bands if you like them, absolutely. And if you are proud of your chest hair, show it off through that deep V. Personally, I happen to love thick-rimmed glasses, but that doesn’t make me a hipster. Like hipsters, however, I prefer to think that I don’t always buy into current trends,
that I can think for myself. This doesn’t change the fact that I love blasting Taylor Swift with the windows down in my car; and I refuse to stop doing so because an ignorant person thinks I’m less intelligent for it. The ability to like something simply because you like it and for no other reason is much more respectable than taking on a style or attitude with hopes of being considered above social norms. To all you hipsters hanging around Grand Rapids this summer, especially Eastown, I’m not trying to hate on your beards and scarves, they’re great. I’m just wondering if you actually think so too? ccolleran@lanthorn.com
A4
Grand Valley Lanthorn MONDAY, MAY 21, 2012
CAMPUS TOURS continued from A1
GVL Archive
This is GV: Grand Valley student Patrick Brown pauses to discuss financial aid with prospective students in a tour group while in the Student Services building.
of tours and study a booklet of GVSU facts to be eligible for the position. “Facts and information about Grand Valley are important and relevant,” Langlois said, “However, sharing the special memories on campus makes the tour even better. Everyone tells different stories on their tours, that’s what makes each one unique.” Langlois said all tour guides bring “something special” to the tour. Most of the information the guides tell the visitors comes from working in admissions and just being a GVSU student. Families can also schedule a “small group presentation” that is offered on certain dates. In the small group presentation, a group of 25 to 30 people led by an admissions counselor to hear about campus life
from a GVSU student. A walking tour follows. Prospective families can also get with the modern times and take a virtual tour of both the Allendale and Pew Campus, created by Institutional Marketing. Out-of-state students can watch videos highlighting meal plans, general education and athletics. The site also allows students to take a 360-degree building tour and view the live campus webcams. “I’m sure we’re going to use the virtual tour in many different ways,” Retburg said, although she encouraged prospective students to come to campus. Spring/summer campus tours are offered Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. mmiller@lanthorn.com
STUDENT LOANS
care fund. President Obama has said he will veto the bill. “This is a politically motivated proposal and not the serious response that the problem facing America’s college students deserves,” a White House statement said. More than 7 million undergraduates rely on federally subsidized loans to pay for tuition. editorial@lanthorn.com
continued from A1
on how to offset the $6 billion it would cost to prevent the rates from rising. Proposed measures to extend the rate freeze have largely cut from social programs, like a Republican-backed bill in the House that proposes paying for the freeze by cutting from a preventative care health
MAREC
continued from A1 As the buoy is located 35 miles offshore of Lake Michigan, data will be collected primarily through satellite, Boezaart said. GVSU researchers will physically collect data from the platform’s data carts every 30 to 45 days, and that data will then be processed in GVSU’s School of Engineering before being passed on to other researchers involved in the project. “It will continue to give manufacturers of the buoy the opportunity to push the limits of the technology for our benefit, to
ENTREPRENEUR continued from A1
Registration is due by June 1, and costs each participant $25 with breakfast and lunch included each day; the registration fee will be reimbursed once the participant
obtain even more valuable data,” Edmonson said, adding that the study’s access to real-time field data is unique. Computers on the buoy collect data in one-second increments, Boezaart said. “This is real exciting for a lot of people,” Boezaart said. “This is the first time that we’re getting direct, real-time wind measurements of this kind using the laser technology we have onboard, so this is a major step forward in measuring wind conditions on the Great Lakes.” For more information, visit www.gvsu. edu/marec. editorial@lanthorn.com has attended the academy. GVSU offers an additional academy at the Meijer Campus in Holland June 25 to 29. To register for TESA, visit www.gvsu. edu/cei and look for the TESA logo. managingeditor@lanthorn.com
NOW HIRING
The Grand Valley Lanthorn is now accepting applications for positions beginning in the fall or summer semesters. All positions paid, internships are available. Available positions include: • Photographers • Videographers • Writers • Columnists
• Cartoonists • Designers • Web team • And more!
To apply, pick up an application in our office, located at 0051 Kirkhof Center. GVL is an equal opportunity employer.
B SPORTS
Grand Valley Lanthorn MONDAY, MAY 21, 2012
sports@lanthorn.com
S P O R T S E D I TO R B R A DY F R E D E R I C K S E N S P O R T S
SHORTS Postseason roundup: baseball, softball teams collect awards Despite an appearance in the NCAA Midwest Regional, the season may not have ended the way the Grand Valley State University softball team would have hoped, but the team did make waves in the awards category this season. Joining GLIAC Coach of the Year Doug Woods, the Lakers — who finished the season 4515 (24-8 GLIAC) — had eight players earn AllGLIAC recognition this season. The All-GLIAC first team was occupied by four juniors from GVSU: infielder Emily Holt, outfielder Nellie Kosola, designated player Katie Martin and pitcher Hannah Santora. The quartet was joined by junior outfielder Emily Jones and sophomore shortstop Briauna Taylor on the second team. Senior pitcher Andrea Nicholson joined senior catcher Carly Raisutis as honorable mentions. The team also saw recognition from the Daktronics All-Midwest Region Softball Team and National Fastpitch Coaches Association AllMidwest Region Team. Martin and Santora were honored as first and second team members of the Daktronics team, respectively, as well as earning spots on the first team for NFCA as well. Joining the two on the NFCA teams were sophomore short stop Briauna Taylor and junior outfielder Nellie Kosola. Taylor joins Martin on the first team, while Kosola joins Santora on the second. Not to be forgotten, the other diamonddwellers at GVSU — the baseball team — also were recognized for their play on the field this season. Senior outfielder Steve Anderson was named GLIAC CoPlayer of the Year with Tiffin University’s Pat Curtain, while fellow senior Kyle Schepel was named GLIAC Pitcher of the Year. Head coach Steve Lyon, in his final year leading the Lakers, was honored as the GLIAC Coach of the Year, and freshman outfielder Mike Nadratowski was named GLIAC Freshman of the Year. Both Schepel and Anderson were also honored on the All-GLIAC first team, and were joined by six of their GVSU counterparts. Senior catcher Jared Cowan, sophomore first basemen Giancarlo Brugnoni, freshman short stop Kevin Zac, junior closer Brad Zambron and senior pitcher Ryan Garman joined them on the first team. Meanwhile, Nadratowski gained All-GLIAC second team honors, while senior pitcher Cory Baker and senior catcher Zach Laupp were listed as honorable mentions. The baseball team was knocked out of the NCAA Midwest Regional on Saturday, losing 10-5 to Rockhurst University.
W .
G O L F
W. GOLF TEAM PLACES 7TH AT NCAAS BY Melanie Huhn GVL STAFF WRITER
I
t was a long grueling week of golf for the Grand Valley State University women’s golf team, which competed at the NCAA Division II National Championship in Louisville, Ky. The Lakers were outreached and took seventh place on the final day of play at Persimmon Ridge. Finishing the tournament, the Lakers came out with a four-day score of 1301 (+149), with the team carding 339 (+51) for its final round, which caused it to slip from fifth place on Saturday. Senior Sarah Hoffman finished in a two-way tie for fifth with a score of 306. Hoffman led the way for her team the last two round in the tournament. During the beginning rounds, newcomer freshman Kelly Hartigan started off the week in a tie for eighth place and eventually rose to fifth place after the second round. She shot her best round of the tournament, a 74, on the third day, as well as Hoffman with a 73. “We have been working hard all season and I started to peak these last few matches heading into nationals,” Hartigan said. “The course was challenging, especially playing it four days in a row but it didn’t seem to phase us.” If it wasn’t enough that each team had to play the same course four days in a row, and GVSU head coach Rebecca Mailloux said the Persimmon Ridge course is considered one of the most challenging courses in Kentucky. The Lakers found their swing in the middle of the week during the second and third rounds pushing
them from sixth to third place after the second day. After their best overall team round of 315 on the third day, the Lakers fell into fifth, discouraging them heading into the final round on Saturday. “Going into the final round, we were confident that we could reach third place because we knew second was a out of reach from where we stood in the points,” Hoffman said. “We were comfortable with trying to come from behind but it just didn’t happen.” After the front nine on the final day, the Lakers seemed to be in the lead by “a lot,” Mailloux said. After coming out of the gate really strong, they were expecting a different outcome. “Overall in the week it was not what we had set our goal for,” Mailloux said. “The final day all-around was just disappointing.” With an overall finish of seventh, the Lakers won’t be disappointed with the year behind them. “We can’t be disappointed about the year,” Mailloux said. “It’s an accomplishment that most don’t even get to experience. We had a good year as a team.” After graduating Hoffman, the GLIAC Golfer of the year, the Lakers have some big shoes to fill before next year’s nationals. With a good freshman coming in, the team looks to repeat another national appearance. “Sarah has made a huge impact on the team the last four years and we will take a hit next year,” Mailloux said. “We have a good freshman coming who is a hard worker. I certainly think we are in a good position for next year.” mhuhn@lanthorn.com
GVL Archive
Top 10: Junior Ashley Beard follows through a putt. The women’s golf team finished seventh in the nation at the NCAA Division II National Championship.
B A S E B A L L
ROCKY WEEKEND
GVL Archive
Rocky: Senior outfielder Steve Anderson prepares to run in a past game. The Lakers lost to Rockhurst in the GLIAC tournament last weekend, losing a World Series bid.
Lakers rally but lose to Rockhurst twice in regionals BY Brady Fredericksen GVL Sports Editor
For a team that rolled to the conference championship in last weekend’s GLIAC Tournament, the Grand Valley State University baseball team’s trek toward a return to the NCAA Division II World Series found a roadblock in Rockhurst University. The Lakers (43-16, 27-9 GLIAC) dropped their opener to the Hawks (35-18, 20-11 GLVC) on Thursday in Ypsilanti, Mich., 9-4. They rallied to earn a shot at redemption in the semifinals, but again hit a roadblock — this one more serious — as its season ended with a 10-5 loss. “You don’t want to lose the first game like that, but we were pretty resilient coming back and winning two games,” said senior pitcher Kyle Schepel, who took the loss in the opener. “We showed a lot of character coming back to win a couple of games. They’re a good team, but we just did not perform our best in both games.” Despite a pitching staff that led the team to a pair of tournament wins that set up the rematch, the Lakers hurlers couldn’t get it done against Rockhurst. Senior Kyle Schepel lasted just two innings in game one, allowing eight runs in his second and final inning. The offense wasn’t much better for GVSU and was held in check, as the Lakers left six men on base during the game. “I, honestly, thought our whole team really be-
lieved we were the best team in that regional — we just didn’t play well,” said senior outfielder Steve Anderson, who went 2-for-7 with a pair of RBI in the two games against Rockhurst. “We just didn’t play our best game, sometimes that happens, that’s just baseball.” After dropping the opener, the Lakers rebounded strongly, eliminating Lewis University (33-22, 21-15 GLVC) 9-5 on Friday and Northern Kentucky University (36-22, 25-11 GLVC) 5-0 in the early game on Saturday. With the Lakers facing elimination, junior Anthony Campanella threw a gem against Northern Kentucky, going the distance in the three-hit shutout. But again, the rematch against Rockhurst proved to be similar to the first game. The Hawks were the one putting up big scoring numbers, getting eight men across the plate — including four in the seventh inning when GVSU trailed by just two — to push the game out of reach Senior pitcher Cory Baker lasted just four innings, allowing four runs (three earned) while walking three. In both contests, the Rockhurst starters each threw over 130 pitches, while containing the high-octane Lakers, who scored just nine runs in the games. The loss marks the end to a distinguished career for head coach Steve Lyon. The Lakers’ headman will retire with back-to-back appearances in the
NCAA Midwest Regionals, as well as winning eight of the last nine GLIAC championships. This will also mark the end of the road for the GVSU seniors, a group that has seen its fair share of success in the past four years. Despite their departure, the team returns with a young nucleus and Anderson has confidence in his teammates going forward. “Those guys are going to have to step up, their going to have to take on a bigger load next year, but they know they can, they’re great players,” he said. “I’m excited to see what those guys can do going forward. It’ll be fun to see. What’s lost in the shuffle of the season ending is the fact that the seniors, guys who have been a part of the program to anywhere from one year to five years, will depart. This is a group who has seen the apex with last year’s college world series and also saw one of their own, Cody Grice, drafted by the New York Yankees. Losing aside, this is as tight-knit a group of seniors as you can have, and the team lost more than just Lyon as the season concluded on Saturday. “I love them, they are leaving a legacy and it’s by far the greatest senior class in terms of success,” Lyon said. “It’s just unbelievable what they’ve accomplished. The size (of the class), thirteen, is going to be solely missed by the Grand Valley baseball program and Grand Valley in general because they are outstanding young man.” sports@lanthorn.com
B2 SPORTS
Grand Valley Lanthorn MONDAY, MAY 21, 2012
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L A C R O S S E
so close, yet so far Quick start not enough as GV falls in national championship to St. Thomas BY Bryce Derouin GVL STAFF WRITER
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troubling trend throughout the season for the Grand Valley State University men’s lacrosse team reared its ugly head at the worst possible time. The Lakers were plagued by the same issue that has haunted them throughout the season: maintaining a lead throughout an entire game. What made this situation hurt more than others, was that it happened in the Division II Men’s College Lacrosse Association title game. GVSU looked sharp from the beginning, as senior Jack Dumsa scored early in the game to give the Lakers a 1-0 lead. GVSU continued their strong start and jumped out to an early 4-1 lead over the University of St. Thomas (Minn.) when junior Tyler Farmer scored with 4 minutes, 11 seconds left in the first quarter. The Lakers continued to control the game, never trailing in the first half and brought a 6-5 lead into halftime. However the second half would belong to St. Thomas. With 12:00 left in the third, St. Thomas finally was able to draw even. The Tommies took their first lead of the game three minutes later, going up 7-6. GVSU managed to tie the game back at up at 6:54 in the third when junior Michael Garner scored on an assist from junior Jeremy Pouba, but St. Thomas would regain the lead with 3:17 in the third and not look back. GVSU’s late comeback fell short as the Tommies claimed the MCLA Division II National Championship 9-8. “We knew it was going to be and emotional and long game from the get go,” said junior Tyler Farmer. “It definitely felt like that in the end. It was very
disappointing in the end and obviously we would have liked to have seen a different result. The guys played their hearts out and left it out on the field.” After the first half, the Lakers struggled to regain the offense they found in the first quarter. Turnovers and a lack of possession time were contributing factors to their lack of scoring. “We definitely wanted to get out to a good lead and maintain that lead,” Farmer said. “It’s something we struggled with all season, and it definitely showed in the final national championship game. We were on the defensive end too much and our offense wasn’t producing like it was in the first quarter. I think it was just a factor of us just being lazy with the ball a little bit and our turnovers increased. The big thing was just a lot of turnovers that were preventable. It was a struggle and frustrating to see and be a part of, but sometimes that’s the way the ball goes.” The Lakers gained valuable experience in a championship game, and they now know what it takes to get here. However, they are still not satisfied with their season. We got pretty far and got where we wanted to be,” said junior goalie Danny Kransberger. “But we know that we still have a lot of work left to do.” Even in defeat, GVSU still had a successful season. While the outcome may not be what they wanted, the Lakers put the rest of the MCLA on notice. “We were never really appreciated by anyone in the country as far as rankings or talent wise,” Farmer said. “A lot of teams took us for granted and we still didn’t feel we got the respect from the critics and the people around the MCLA. I think we had a lot to prove and our team’s character showed all the way through to the national championship game.” bderouin@lanthorn.com T R A C K
Ready to defend The depth continues for GVSU as senior Karie McDonald and redshirt freshman Hannah Osborn will join Graney in Even with a strong familiarity to the the steeplechase. Caldwell will also be a national spotlight, the Grand Valley State part of the 4x400-meter relay team, which University men’s and women’s track and further consists of Franklin, junior Leiah field teams will be competing from Thurs- Hess and senior Adrienne Chandler. Patday to Saturday at the 2012 Division II terson also earned the second seed in the Outdoor Track and Field National Cham- 10,000-meter run and will be joined by pionships in an unfamiliar setting. freshman Ann Marie Arseneau. The Neta & Eddie DeRose ThunderWith the track side having such a strong Bowl on the campus of Colorado State showing, the field spectrum also boasts University-Pueblo in Pueblo, Colo., will three top seeds of its own. Sophomore serve as the venue for competition. It will Kristen Hixson tops the pole vault list and be the first trip to the facility for the 25 will be joined by senior Jocelyn Kuksa. Laker athletes making the trip. Meanwhile, senior Lauren Buresh has the “We have a lot of quality kids who have top seed in the shot put. She will be joined been on this stage before,” said GVSU by Lockhart, who also earned the second men’s and women’s seed in the discus head coach Jerry Balthrow, an event in tes. “We know very which junior Jamie little about the facilSmith also made “It is more than indoor ity. It is sort of like the the cut. Finally, juand that is definitely what movie Hoosiers where nior Liz Murphy sits we want. A lot of our guys it is a 10-foot basket atop the field for the are seeded pretty well, and everyone has to hammer throw with but we still have to go out play on that hoop. sophomore Alyssa Same thing, except it Zokoe also getting there and show up. Just is a 400-meter track a spot. because we are seeded with runways and we As for the men, high doesn’t mean much will be ready to comeight athletes qualiwhen you go to the pete in whatever the fied for the threeNational Championships. surface and elements day event, building Everybody is good.” present.” on their 2012 indoor Looking to defend campaign. their 2011 outdoor na“It is more than tional championship, indoor and that is 17 Laker women qualdefinitely what we logan hoffman ified for this season’s want,” said sophosophomore final race. They are led more Logan Hoffby GLIAC Freshman man, who qualified of the Year Brittney in the 400-meter Banister, who made hurdles. “A lot of the cut in the 100-meter dash and also the our guys are seeded pretty well, but we 200-meter dash with the 12th-fastest time. still have to go there and show up. Just Another sprinter, sophomore Kalena because we are seeded high doesn’t mean Franklin, qualified in the 100-meter hur- much when you go to the National Chamdles. pionships. Everybody is good.” To add to the team’s representation, Seniors Anthony Witt and Jeff Northree women hold the top-seed in each dquist will look to cap off their illustrious of their respective running events. Se- GVSU careers at the highest level. Witt nior Chanelle Caldwell stands atop the qualified for the 5,000 and 10,000-meter 800-meter run, while graduate student runs, while Nordquist will compete in the Rachel Patterson owns the top time in the steeplechase. 5,000-meter run. On the field, redshirt freshmen Trent Finally, fellow graduate student Betsy Chappell and Bret Myers are in the field Graney, who is the second seed in the for the high jump and pole vault, respec5,000-meter run behind Patterson, holds tively. Myers will be joined by junior the top mark in the steeplechase. Raphael Gelo, while sophomore Donny “Jerry tells us all the time that we just Stiffler qualified in the shot put and junior need to do what we did to get here to suc- Andrew Gorley made the cut in the hamceed,” said junior Sam Lockhart. “Enjoy mer throw. the moment, stay focused and build off of the season we have had.” zsepanik@lanthorn.com
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GVL Archive
Stay on your guard: Grand Valley State University senior Daniel MacDonell stays on his defense during a previous Laker men’s lacrosse game.
F I E L D
Women set to defend title, men will send eight to National Championships
BY Zach Sepanik GVL staff writer
GVL Archive
Keeping pace: GVSU senior Xavier Parnell runs a sprint during a past meet. The Lakers will compete this weekend in the 2012 Division II Outdoor Track and Field National Championships at the Neta & Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl at Colorado State University-Pueblo in Pueblo, Colo.
SPORTS B3
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Hole in one: Golfers litter the trails at The Meadows golf course, which will play host to GVSU’s Irwin Golf Outing on June 7. The 40th-annual event — which features four-person scrambles, prizes and raffles — helps raise money for GVSU athletic programs.
Irwin Outing gives golfers chance to hit links, interact with coaches BY Brady Fredericksen GVL Sports Editor
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he summer season has brought many to the local beaches and other attractions, but for those more inclined to hit the links, Grand Valley State University’s Irwin Golf Outing at The Meadows can provide an alternative to the norm. On June 7, The Meadows will host the Irwin Golf Outing, an open event open to any and all students, faculty and golfers. The club, which is named after GVSU’s first athletic director in Charles H. Irwin, works as the main fundraising club for athletics here at GVSU — and the golf outing represents the biggest fundraiser of the year for the club. According to the club’s website, they have been a key fundraiser for a multi-
tude of activities, ranging from the Irwin Scholarship to funding that goes toward the athletic programs — like renovations to the outdoor baseball facilities — here at GVSU. Janine Warfield, Irwin Club coordinator, said the event started out as just a faculty and staff social outing and has progressively grown into its current form. Despite the fact that the event is nothing new, this will be the 40th year the tournament will be played, the popularity is still rising thanks to some unorthodox on-course activities. “Actually, what has made a big difference is we have our coaches now, out working at the holes,” Warfield said. “(Them) interacting with our donors, playing little games, so that has really made the attendance pick up and made it really successful.”
Warfield said the coaches involved in the tournament would not be restricted to just ones within the golf program, like Don Underwood and Rebecca Mailloux, but along the entire spectrum of the GVSU coaching ranks. “Our donors really appreciate getting to know the coaches and interacting with them,” she said. Registration for the tournament is still open. Groups of four will partake in a scramble with a shotgun start. Door prizes and raffles will be available and a.m. flights will be privy to a continental breakfast — along with a lunch program with the p.m. flights at noon — as well as a cash bar at 6:30 p.m. Cost for the luncheon only is $25, while the golfing and luncheon are $100 per person for GVSU faculty and staff and $125 for all others. sports@lanthorn.com
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SWEAT IT OUT Use the summer to get fit and healthy, without sacrificing your fun in the sun BY Samantha BUTcher GVL Editor in Chief
t’s official, Lakers — summer is here. The temperature is spiking, the humidity is rising and the beach is beckoning you away from your other responsibili-
Ities. Between the picturesque weather and (relative) abundance of free time, summer presents the perfect opportunity to start sweating it out and slimming down. Use our tips to help you get into your best summer shape, without it feeling like a chore. Walk/runs are abundant across the state in the summer, and plenty of them are friendly to those who are beginning their fitness journeys. If a traditional 5k doesn’t interest you, try one with a little something extra, like the Grand Rapids Color Run. Participants in the walk/run, which is scheduled for August 5, start out in white t-shirts and end the three-mile “color extravaganza” around the city looking like they’ve been doused with a rainbow. Many 5ks also raise money for various diseases or local causes, which can be a great way to raise money and awareness for a cause dear to you while still getting your blood pumping. These charity runs are typically familyfriendly and encourage walk-
ers and even children to join in. For the thrill-seekers (and physically fit), try out the newest trend in athletics with an adventure run. These courses tend to be longer and are definitely not for the weak, but those who cross the finish line can earn serious bragging rights! For the uninitiated, try the Rock the World 5k Obstacle Race in Grand Ledge, Mich. — about an hour outside of Allendale — on June 30. The race features obstacles fashioned after famous world landmarks on a course filled with dirt, grass, mud and water. After the race ends, there will be a live music festival to celebrate crossing the finish line. For information on more adventure runs, visit www.trifind.com.
editorial@lanthorn.com
SIGN UP FOR A FUN RUN
Courtesy Photo / thecolorrun.com
Cool runnings: 5k runs like the Grand Rapids Color Run (pictured) add extra incentive to lace up and hit the asphalt.
EMBRACE YOUR INNER CHILD
EAT LOCAL
GVL / Eric Coulter
Splash zone: People take advantage of a free open swim session at the GVSU pool, located in the Fieldhouse in Allendale.
Whether you don’t like to exercise or just don’t think you have the time, stepping away from the treadmill might be the key to success. Tying your workout to traditional exercises like running or spinning can be intimidating for people who are new to working out. Instead, channel your inner kid and go play outside. Running around with friends or playing a
pickup game of baseball can still burn plenty of calories and get your heart rate raised, but instead of feeling like an obligation, it’s just fun with friends. For a low-impact workout, hit the pool or the beach with friends — just make sure to take a break from tanning to jump in the water. To add extra oomph to your fun in the sun, pack a volleyball
— the uneven sand will help tone the muscles in your legs while your upper body works to get the ball over the net. Approaching exercise like a game can also help alleviate the boredom that can come with repeating the same routine day in and day out, and playing with friends can help keep you accountable.
GVL / Eric Coulter
Five servings a day: Farmers markets, farm stands and U-Pick farms aplenty offer area residents an easy way to take advantage of nature’s bounty and eat fresh, local produce in season. Watch for berries to come in season.
Summer offers the perfect opportunity to eat fresh, local fruits and vegetables picked from area farms. In addition to the abundance of farmers markets in the area — view the May 7 issue of the Lanthorn at www.lanthorn.com for information on the Fulton Street Farmers Market and others — take advantage of Grand Valley State University’s location in Michigan’s agricultural hub and visit a U-Pick farm. Strawberries are currently in season and can be plucked straight from the plant at Cook’s Strawberries, located at 13353 60th Ave. in Coopersville. Days and picking hours may vary, so call 616-837-8764 before planning your trip. Blueberry season is beginning as well, and there is no shortage of U-Pick blueberry farms throughout Kent and Ottawa counties. Want to preserve that fresh-out-of-theground goodness to use year-round? Rinse and freeze the berries in a single layer on a cookie sheet for about an hour (or until frozen) before transferring to a freezer bag — if they last that long! To view a directory of U-Pick farms in West Michigan, visit www.pickyourown.org/ mimp.htm.
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Will Power camp brings Shakespeare to youths BY Briana Doolan GVL LAKER LIFE Editor
GVL Archive
The play’s the thing: Kids enjoy the sights at the Renaissance Festival, held last fall as part of the annual Shakespeare Festival. The Festival kicks off this year with two Shakespeare-themed summer camps featuring two famous plays.
Grand Valley State University’s Shakespeare Festival is sponsoring “Will Power,” a summer camp for kids, for the first time this year, with guest teaching artists by Pigeon Creek Shakespeare. The camp is geared towards exploration, creativity and fun through the discovery and use of William Shakespeare, and organizers are hoping for enough success to make the event an annual one. The Grand Valley Shakespeare Festival’s Will Power Summer Camp website states that the camp “strives to create a fun, imaginative and exciting environment for children to discover the art of theater and the works of William Shakespeare through exploring the process of drama,” adding that the “Will Power” experience is based on the process of drama, not the product. During the camp, campers will learn theater vocabulary, explore elements of storytelling and expand their imaginations. Whitney Hershberger, a GVSU alum doing her master of fine arts capstone internship with the Shake-
speare Festival, is the director this year. GVSU’s Karen Libman, stage director and theater professor, is also helping organize the events. “Our Shakespeare festival has a lot of components that people don’t really know about, but we’ve never had anything with younger students before,” Libman said. “The idea is to explore their imagination and their creativity through exploring Shakespeare.” The Shakespeare Festival is producing the camp this year in two sessions, which last two weeks. Children entering kindergarten through third and fourth through sixth grades can sign up for “Love and Laughter” in “A Midsummer’s Night Dream” on June 18 to 23 or “Magic and Mayhem” in “Macbeth” on June 25 to 29. The camp is located on the Allendale Campus in the Performing Arts Center from 9 a.m. to noon for the younger kids and 1 to 4 p.m. for the older kids. The camp is Monday through Friday with a “Prepare and Share” on Fridays for the families. At the end of the week there will be a showcase for friends and family to share what campers have experienced and accomplished during the week. The camp counselors are com-
prised of GVSU theatre students as well as education students who help with teaching. Libman said they want this to be an inclusive experience; also, a few scholarships available for families who are facing monetary concerns. “We don’t want anyone denied access to this opportunity,” Libman said. Each session has room for seven to 15 kids, so parents are encouraged to sign up their kids as soon as possible. Registration is $100, with discounts for campers who sign up for both programs or for families who sign up multiple children. Fees cover both a workbook and t-shirt. To sign up for Will Power programs, visit www.gvsu.edu/shakes for information on how to contact Libman and Hershberger. “I think this is just our next step as a Shakespeare Festival,” Libman said. “The problems of the future cannot be imagined by the adults of today, but they can be solved by the children of tomorrow. Problems will be solved by today’s kids with the solving problem solving skills that we teach them.” lakerlife@lanthorn.com
‘FESTIVAL OF ALL FESTIVALS’ KICKS OFF SUMMER BY Briana Doolan GVL laker life Editor
The 43rd-annual Festival of the Arts in downtown Grand Rapids will kick off the summer on June 1, with opening ceremonies at noon featuring Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell, local band Genetics and much more. The Festival of the Arts is one of the longest running, all-volunteer, all-local festivals in Michigan, which began in 1970 and is considered the traditional start of summer in West Michigan. The event is expecting to host approximately 500,000 people this year with the theme of “The Ideal Collective.” Co-chair Vance Fennell has been participating in events for more than 15 years, while co-chair Andrea Scheckel has been participating for more tha 20 years. Fennel said the organization believes the goal of the festival is to support the arts and to provide an opportunity for artists and art organizations to showcase their talents to a wide public audience through a free admission event. The Festival of the Arts is a self-funded, nonprofit organization supported by Kent County and generous donations from businesses and people in the community, Fennell said. Some of the core values of The Festival of the Arts include the belief that the goal of festival is to build a public appreciation for the quality of life provided to the greater Grand Rapids area by local cultural organizations and to also affirm the commitment of the arts to Grand Rapids by holding the festival in the downtown location. The festival takes place on June 1, 2 and 3 — Friday from noon to 10 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The festival is the largest volunteer-driven arts
event in the nation and the most popular of all local arts event in the area, Fennell said. This year’s poster for the event, which shows the theme of the event, will be used to design and create bracelets as part of the collaborative bracelet project. The bracelets will be made directly from the poster, and attendees can take bracelets home. “Usually the artwork is expensive, but this is a way for a lot of people to be able to bring home a piece of history,” Fennell said. The festival features more than 100 artists all with locally-made artwork, with a wide variety of pieces available for purchase. There will be 30 food booths featuring Vietnamese, Italian, Bosnian, American, Asian, Lebanese, Greek, Australian and Mexican cuisine. “We’ve got it all,” Fennell said. There are numerous activities for both kids and adults, all of which are free. Kid’s activities include: “Kids Art Zone”, where kids can make art; “Mat Hatter,” where kids can create their own hats; “Art on the Spot”, a place for kids to create kites and much more. There will be a Michigan child ID booth where parents can register their kids for an ID. Adults can also participate in storytelling and creating swinging art. The festival will feature six stages with a full variety of visual arts including ballet, children dancing, theater and local music. “This is the festival of all festivals,” Fennell said. Visitors can find more information about the festival at www.festivalgr.org. The site has a visitor’s guide with maps, directions and a list of activities, food, entertainment and more that will be available over the course of the weekend. lakerlife@lathorn.com
Courtesy Photo / www.festivalgr.org
Traditional start to summer: Next month’s Festival of Arts will feature local artists’ work, much of which will be for sale, along with music, food, entertainment and more.