Urban St. March 2023

The lakeshore offers unique venues to host your next party

Publisher Jason Hosko

Editorial

Editor: Lisa Enos

Managing Editor: Ann Smith

Contributors: Elizabeth Granger, Jeremy Gonsior

Design

Creative Director: Lindsay Richards

Art Director: Mark Dryer

Senior Production Artist: Stephanie Daniel

Photography: Bethany Kruger

Sales

Account Executives:

Nick Irwin, Maddy Gill, Haylee Mozug

Office Assistant: Kerry Gerwatowski

Production

Production Director: Jenine Knox

Prepress Artist: Jonathan Boedecker

Advertising Coordinator: Helena Hill

IT

IT Director: Jeremy Leland

Circulation

Circulation Manager: Cindy Fish

Web

Digital Director: Nick Britsky

Digital Development Specialist: Jim Bowser

Administration

Director Of Business Operations:

Kathie Gorecki

Publishing and Sales Coordinator:

Mikala Bart

Assistant Office Manager:

Natasha Bajju

Senior Accounting Associate: Andrew Kotzian

Accounting Associates: Samantha Dick, Austin Schmelzle

President: John

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Words worth repeating

March may not be our best month, but I just keep repeating to myself: there’s nothing like spring in West Michigan. It won’t be long. And these lingering chilly evenings are good times to enjoy a few more hearty meals at new spots, make the most of local theaters, plan your garden (maybe with the help of Jonker’s in Holland, to which we wish a happy 75th birthday!), and curl up with a good book before we toss folding chairs and bug spray in the back of the car and move outdoors for summer.

Think now about how to get a whole bunch of friends and family together — now that we can again. This issue’s cover story on page 18 about the amazing variety of party venues on this stretch of the lakeshore may be an inspiration. Whether your jam is to DIY it or to call a caterer, you’ll find some spots that would work for you — plus tips from event planners about how to keep the planning running smoothly (and if not completely stress-free, closer to it).

April’s a good time, too, to get up to speed on what our neighbors are doing to keep this lovely corner of the world healthy and whole. You can read about grassroots environmental groups and Earth Day events, starting on page 10, and on page 16, find a brief list of events that bring West Michiganders together to clean up natural areas. Maybe one’s near you.

Our friends at Reader’s World in Holland have pulled together some recommended reading around that topic — you’ll find it on page 52. Or get yourself to Saugatuck for amazing short films (page 44) you won’t see anywhere else.

In this issue’s Dine Around features and those that declare “You gotta try this!” you can look over my shoulder (and some of my colleagues’) as we thoroughly enjoy food and merriment that’s worth the drive. Gosh, this job can be fun. If your kitchen routine’s in a rut, check out what our Urban Kitchen chefs suggest for this spring. Most of all, join me in the chorus: there’s nothing like spring in West Michigan!

Ann Smith Managing Editor

Our apologies to Sarah Boetsma, the owner of Picket Fence Floral & Design in Holland, who was misidentified in a caption in our November/December 2022 issue. Here's that photo again, with the caption corrected.

(L-R) Emma Bennett and owner Sarah Boetsma, Picket Fence

On Our Radar

Comics and cosplay in Muskegon and Holland

Break out your costumes — two cosplay contests are coming up in lakeshore cities. MuskeCon 4 on March 21 will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Muskegon Convention Center, with new and vintage toys, local artists’ work, tabletop and RPG gaming, a panel presentation on creating and publishing your own comic book, and cosplay contests for groups, kids and individual adults. April 23, the Tulip City Comics & Toy Fare returns to the Holland Civic Center: comics, toys — and here, too, cosplay contests with adult and kids’ divisions. muskecon.com Facebook.com/tulipcitycomic/

Vintage, found and curated

A new mercantile opened in Grand Haven just before the 2022 holiday season. The Hare & The Hive at 132 Washington Avenue offers an array of new and vintage treasures curated by owner Nicole Neumann. She posts her latest finds on Facebook and Instagram. If unique is what you seek, this is the place you’ve been waiting for. thehareandthehive.com

New watering hole and bistro in Grand Haven

The Unicorn Tavern debuted in February at 415 S. Beechtree Street on Grand Haven’s East Side. Earlier, the banner hung out front to recruit staff read “Long haired freaky people need apply,” so expect the unexpected. The lakeshore’s first Belgian-centric bar and full-service restaurant features dishes like mussels in white wine, Flemish mac and cheese, garlic bread with marrow, fondue and “les burgers” — and Belgian brews, of course, including 32 Belgian or Belgian-style bottled beers plus Chimay ales on tap.

theunicorntavern.com

Spring Lakeshore Living Show in Muskegon

Muskegon’s Home, Garden & Boat Show has rebranded as the Lakeshore Living Show. As usual, it will feature products and services for lakeshore living, from food to outdoor recreation. At press time more than 60 exhibitors were lined up for the event April 14-15 at the Van Dyk Mortgage Convention Center near Muskegon’s waterfront.  lakeshorelivingmkg.com

Critter Barn has moved to Zeeland

Talk about more elbow room! Critter Barn, the farm where children meet animals and learn about agriculture, has settled into new digs on 36 acres in Zeeland — wide open spaces compared to its previous three acres in Holland. Along with freshly built barns and animal enclosures, the Critter Barn now has paved parking, improved accessibility and indoor bathrooms. The weeklong “Spring Fling,” a chance to meet spring babies – including ducklings, bunnies and calves – will run from April 3 to 8. “The Running of the Lambs” is slated for May 20. Hours shift with the seasons, so check the website. critterbarn.org

Tulip City Comics & Toy Fare

The Hare & The Hive

Critter Barn

West Michiganders band together to heal and protect Planet Earth

By Ann Smith

As people in some 190 nations observe Earth Day for the 53rd time on April 22, among us there are individuals who carry that torch in West Michigan all year long.

Three local chapters of the National Audubon Society are working to improve and preserve lakeshore habitat areas.

Considering going solar at your home? The grassroots group GoSolar! holds monthly online sessions so newbies can hear from those who’ve done it.

Local members of the nationwide Citizens’ Climate Lobby work locally and visit Washington, D.C. yearly to make the case for fee and dividend legislation, a fossil fuel reduction strategy members believe has the best chance of reining in climate change.

“These are folks who recognize and accept the science about climate science. We don’t do a lot of debating. We’re trying to understand what we need to do,” said Peter Boogaart of Holland Charter Township, who’s involved in both CCL and GoSolar!

CONTINUED ON PAGE 12 g

They’re just a few of the lakeshore groups that have come together around various environmental issues.

Representatives of organizations on this stretch of the lakeshore will be at the Earth Day Lakeshore Celebration in Grand Haven on April 29 (full details on page 16) to encourage others to join them in local projects and advocacy. The yearly event (which is not on Earth Day) was started by a group that got together to oppose a proposed development in 2002. The event starts with a march to boost awareness of environmental concerns. A fair that follows at Central Park Place community center, 421 Columbus Ave., will feature information tables, music, food, and activities for kids. “We’re doing it the week after (Earth Day) because it would be in competition on the 22nd with everyone else who’s earth conscious,” said Ginger Aubrey of West Olive, one of the organizers.

Internationally, Earth Day’s talking points this year include planting trees, stepping back from single-use plastics, and fighting “fast fashion” garments so cheap that they quickly pile up in landfills.

Along the lakeshore, talking points include very local concerns.

Here’s one example. Harbor Island, west of the drawbridge in Grand Haven, is on the radar of Audubon Society members including Beth Miller, who’s involved in two chapters where Muskegon and Ottawa counties meet. In 2020, the coal-fired power plant on Harbor Island was dismantled. A year later, community opposition led the city to set aside plans for a new gas-fired plant. What will happen after contaminants are dealt with is up in the air. Harbor Island is “a birding magnet, especially during migration,” Miller said. “We’re hoping to get a seat at the table to have an influence on what happens.”

Leslie Newman of Spring Lake, who’s part of the Earth Day celebration group and another called Wetlands Watch, is concerned about phragmites on Harbor Island, too — invasive plants that could destroy Grand River island habitats for wildlife such as ducks and deer. “They’re brilliant plants; they have a poison that will not let anything else grow,” she said.

Palomito Nature Reserve, West Olive

PHOTO: LAND CONSERVANCY OF WEST MICHIGAN

Retired folks do a lot of the heavy lifting for some of the lakeshore’s grassroots environmental groups.

Young people also are concerned. Various programs nurture their involvement, such as the VoLes volunteer program for 12- to 18-year-olds at the Outdoor Discovery Center south of Holland. Hope College’s Office of Sustainability has a dozen student interns engaged in various efforts on campus and with groups in the Holland community. “Holland is a really great size for collaboration: big enough to get a lot of things done, but small enough that people know each other,” said Michelle Gibbs, who directs that office.

Ottawa County’s Careerline Tech Center Environmental Field Studies program combines coursework with student placements in environmental and agricultural firms and agencies. Many of its graduates are pursuing careers or degrees in environmental science, forestry, and wildlife and fisheries — from studying forestry in the Upper Peninsula to working on a sustainable farm in Africa. Eighteen students from Ottawa County are enrolled this year, including teens from Grand Haven, Zeeland and Holland.

“Climate change is a theme throughout most of the year — it has such far-reaching implications and affects nearly every aspect of environmental science,” said Field Studies instructor Avril Wiers of Zeeland. “This year, we’ve partnered with Tulip Time to make a sustainability plan moving forward.” Students also monitor water quality on the Pigeon River and visit Port Sheldon Natural Area regularly for “stewardship days.”

What’s your niche?

Explore

West Michigan Environmental Action Council wmeac.org

Friends of Ottawa County Parks friendsofocp.org

Land Conservancy of West Michigan naturenearby.org

Outdoor Discovery Network outdoordiscovery.org

SolarUp! solarupnet.org

Holland Climate Collaborative Facebook.com/HollandClimateCollaborative Citizens Climate Lobby facebook.com/cclhollandarea/ citizensclimatelobby.org

Wetland Watch wetlandwatchspringlake.org

Audubon Society chapters

• Muskegon County Nature Club  muskegoncountynatureclub.blogspot.com

• Owashtanong Islands Audubon Society (greater Grand Haven) oias.org

• Holland Audubon Society (Ottawa County) hollandaudubon.org

“By reconnecting students with nature, I hope they’ll be motivated to take action to preserve our planet for the future,” Wiers said.

Saugatuck Harbor Natural Area

PHOTO: LAND CONSERVANCY OF WEST MICHIGAN

Pitch in, hands-on

Here are just a few of the ways and days volunteers can team up this spring to care for our corner of the planet.

March 25

Earth Hour

At 8:30 p.m., join an international oncea-year one-hour effort: turn off your lights and spend 60 minutes doing something positive for our planet. earthhour.org

April 15

Beach clean-up, Holland State Park

9–11 a.m.

Gloves, buckets and grabbers will be provided. Hosted by Hope College and the Holland Youth Advisory Council.

April 22

Earth Day Garlic Mustard Pull, Eastmanville Bayou

2–4 p.m.

Help remove the pesky invasive plants along a stretch of the Grand River in Allendale. Closed toe shoes are recommended. Hosted by Friends of Ottawa County Parks. miottawa.org/parks/

April 29

Earth Day Lakeshore Celebration, Grand Haven

12:30 p.m., parade begins in the parking lot in front of Ottawa County Courthouse (to participate, arrive by 12:15).

1–4 p.m., fair at Central Park Place: information tables, food for sale, activities for kids, music. In past years, up to 40 organizations have participated.

Check Facebook page for other events April 22–29.

facebook.com/EarthDayLakeshoreCelebration/

May 20

Lake Macatawa clean-up, Holland

10 a.m.–noon

Volunteers will clean up a portion of the lake from the shore and (depending on the size of the group) in kayaks in the lake. Equipment, boats and life vests will be provided.

For details and pre registration link, see the event listing on the Outdoor Discovery Center event calendar (under “programs” tab). outdoordiscovery.org

Monthly volunteer days at the Land Conservancy of West Michigan’s 12 protected natural areas along the Muskegonto-Saugatuck stretch of the lakeshore are publicized, as dates approach, on the “explore” tab at naturenearby.org (as are volunteer opportunities at other Conservancy sites further north and east).

Beach clean-up at Holland State Park

Event venues:

West Michigan offers wide variety

LAVISH OR CASUAL, LARGE OR INTIMATE, ALL YEAR LONG – FOR WHATEVER THE OCCASION, SIZE, BUDGET

by Elizabeth Granger

It was a family reunion planned for everyone in the family to enjoy.

Translation: No one in the family had to do the work. Lilley Mansion in Spring Lake did it.

But first, a little history: The house was built in 1876 by lumber baron Francis Lilley, back when Spring Lake boasted nine sawmills. In 2019, the house was moved two miles, from Rachaels Way to Division Street, and extensively remodeled. Now it’s a posh bed-and-breakfast with beyond-first-class care that hosts a variety of get-togethers.

“This is not your everyday venue,” said event planner Cassie Celestin, who works closely with Lilley Mansion owner/host Patrick Roggenbau. “People feel really special here.”

A weekend reunion of three generations included a Friday cocktail hour and family-style dinner, a Saturday breakfast buffet and sit-down dinner, and a Sunday brunch.

The Felt Mansion next to Saugatuck Dunes State Park also offers the same “Wow!” factor. Dorr Felt was a self-made millionaire, his riches came mostly from his invention of an early adding machine.

The property hosts many upscale weddings and other gatherings, and like the Lilley mansion, it offers overnight lodging.

If you’re wondering where to hold an upcoming gathering too big for the home, but too small for a mansion, not to worry. Many lakeshore venues host reunions, showers, birthday parties, bachelorette parties… events smaller and less formal than weddings.

In addition to the Lilley and Felt mansions, history also offers the 1890s Kirby Hotel in Douglas and the 1901 Weaver House at Pine Bend in West Olive (an Ottawa County Parks site).

Holland’s Merchant Hall, more than 100 years old, has telltale brick walls, tin ceiling, chandeliers. The renovated Frauenthal Center

Lilley Mansion, Spring Lake

in Muskegon began its life in 1929 as the Michigan Theater. Other theaters that double as party venues include the Park Theatre and Sperry’s Moviehouse in Holland.

Museums and studios that double as venues come with stunning built-in embellishments. Check out the Holland Area Arts Council, Holland Museum, Grand Haven’s Tri-Cities Museum, Muskegon’s Lakeshore Museum Center, Saugatuck Center for the Arts, and Capizzo Studio in Saugatuck.

Venues without longstanding charm get dressed up for special occasions.

The bottom line? Many sites have the space for a party, so think broadly. Big venues can get cozy for smaller events. And many smaller venues known for other

purposes may also host parties.

A start to a list includes Barclay Place Event Center in Muskegon; Baker Lofts Events by Gilmore, Butternut Event Centre and Warehouse 6 in Holland; The Harbourfront Grand Hall and 707 Events in Grand Haven; Trillium in Spring Lake; Bella Maria’s Event Center in Norton Shores;

CONTINUED ON PAGE 20 g

Lilley Mansion, Spring Lake

A Cut Above Event Center and Ivy House in Saugatuck.

Consider hotels, for sure. Some B&Bs offer small venues for get-togethers.

Restaurants often have rooms for private parties. So do yacht clubs, marinas and golf courses – Macatawa in Holland, American Dunes in Grand Haven, Ravines in Saugatuck, Oak Ridge in Norton Shores, Terra Verde in Nunica, Spring Lake Country Club, Muskegon Country Club.

Check out civic centers — the Holland Armory, Midtown Center Study Hall in Holland, Central Park Place in Grand Haven.

Holland’s Dutch heritage is featured at Windmill Island Gardens and Dutch Village.

If scenery is important, think of places by Lake Michigan – Geneva Retreat Center in Holland, Camp Blodgett in West Olive, Shoreline Inn & Conference Center in Muskegon. The Holiday Inn in Spring Lake offers views of the Grand River.

On Holland’s Lake Macatawa, consider Boatwerks Restaurant, Yacht Basin Conference Center, Port 393, Anchorage Marina and the Pump House Museum.

Get out on Lake Michigan on the Knot Normal yacht or MI Party Boat Charters’ tiki boat, both of which sail out of Grand Haven. The Star of Saugatuck, a sternwheeler pad-

dleboat, travels up the Kalamazoo River into Lake Kalamazoo and then Lake Michigan. Aquastar (formerly the Port City Princess) cruises Muskegon Lake and Lake Michigan.

The Holland Princess, a Victorian paddlewheel replica, sails on Lake Macatawa from Dunton Park in Holland. On calm days it ventures through the channel to Lake Michigan.

Wineries, breweries and distilleries sometimes offer party space. See Fenn Valley Vineyards & Wine Cellar or Modales Wines in Fennville, OddSide Ales in Grand Haven, and in Holland, New Holland Brewing or Brew Merchant.

Spring Lake’s Tanglefoot Pavilion hosts the farmers market, and also private events

Dutch Village, Holland

Meet nature at the Art Farm or Johnson Farm in Fennville, Happy Hens Farm in Holland, The Barn at Stanton Crossing in West Olive.

Old Stonegate Farms in Nunica was built in 1867. Today, it combines the nostalgia of yesteryear — a rustic barn, yard games, s’mores over a fire — with upscale service and amenities. The Little Red Barn of Nunica, built more than 100 years ago, also offers rustic charm.

City, township, county and state parks display nature at its finest, and some offer covered pavilions or lodges/cabins. Consider Pioneer Park in Muskegon, Connor Bayou in Grand Haven, Pine Bend in West Olive, and Rycenga Recreational Park in Spring Lake.

State parks along Lake Michigan are Muskegon, Duck Lake, P.J. Hoffmaster, Grand Haven, Holland and Saugatuck Dunes. Keep in mind that state parks, as well as some county parks, have entrance fees.

Afternoon or early evening events that include children benefit from kid-friendly outdoor spaces with playgrounds. The pavilion at Tanglefoot Park in Spring Lake opened just last year. On some days it’s the venue for a farmers market, on others, a party venue. Its summertime splash pad is a hit.

Think about the not-so-typical, too. The 1903 Greater Muskegon Woman’s Club, built specifically to be a woman’s club, bills itself as “perfect for a bridal shower, a Red

Hat

or a birthday party for a little princess.”

The Historic 1881 New Groningen Schoolhouse in Zeeland is a two-room schoolhouse with with modern amenities. Griff’s Icehouse West in Holland includes the possibility of skating. USS LST (Landing Ship Tank) 393 and Silversides (submarine) Museum in Muskegon come with intriguing military history. The Holland Fish and Game Club in Zeeland hosts gatherings.

The message here? West Michigan has many venue options for events. Consider this your starting point.

gathering,

USS LST 393, Muskegon

Frauenthal Center, Muskegon

Planners share tips for a successful event

By Elizabeth Granger

Event Dreaming 101. It might look like a checklist, spreadsheet, or binder with scraps of paper, magazine pages and photos.

Some party hosts opt for a DIY approach. Others choose a planner’s expertise from the get-go. Sometimes the first option morphs into the second.

The hoped-for bottom line? A successful gathering that just might make your guests say “Best. Time. Ever.”

Event planners

Cassie Celestin of White Dress Events and Holden Bassett-Alee of Holden Michael Events suggest these things to consider:

What’s the occasion?

What’s the date? Initially, be open to several. “Start the planning process as soon as you can,” Celestin said. “If you’re last minute, you can’t be picky.” Bassett-Alee adds, “People are planning their events years in advance, so it’s to a client’s advantage to be open to several different dates. We’re currently fielding inquiries for 2025, and have gotten inquiries for as far out as 2027.”

Who’s coming?

Adults and kids?

Adults only?

How many guests?

What’s the budget?

Consider more than one option. Browse websites for ideas, beginning with local tourism/convention bureaus. Ask friends, colleagues and neighbors for suggestions.

• Consider hiring help for specific tasks, such as a caterer, baker, decorator or housecleaner. It frees up your time to do other things.

• Think outside the box. Many venues are multi-faceted; for example, a bed-andbreakfast, community center or park might provide both the space and help for a dinner.

• Research potential sites before visiting them. Be sure to learn exactly what’s included.

• Consider out-of-town guests’ needs. Provide information to them. Create a website for them. “All these details are ones that will help your guests feel taken care of,” Bassett-Alee said.

Holden Bassett-Alee

Cassie Celestin

T ULIP T IME FESTIVAL

Holland, May 6 to 14

Holland will roll out a multi-colored carpet for its 93rd festival: nine May days of flowers, Dutch dancing, carnival rides, quilts, historic walking tours, parades and other fun.

Many festival features are free. Tickets are required for some (events noted by an asterisk) — including performances by Sara Evans, Girl Named Tom, Fiddlefire and the ever-popular Elton Rohn. Some sell out before Tulip Time begins.

NEW EVENTS

From the Netherlands, the award-winning Bicycle Showband Crescendo marching band musicians riding bicycles in traditional Dutch costumes. (It was a challenge to bring 45 musicians, instruments and bikes across the Atlantic from Holland to Holland!)  May 12–14 at the Hope College football stadium, and in the Volksparade May 13.

* Tulip City Brewstillery Guided Beverage Tastings  May 8–12 — a history lesson and a flight combined, sampling beers while learning the local history backstories of their names.

. . . and at Big Lake Brewing, a small batch Tulip Time beer in collectible cans.

NEW IN THE GARDENS

“Aveyron,” a rosy pink peony-flowering tulip with paler margins, like a tiny pink cloud

“Marit,” a cheery, dark pink Darwin hybrid tulip that fades to yellow on the margins

Maps detailing where tulip varieties are grown will be available at multiple locations.

And among the perennially popular festival events . . .

May 5-14

* Carnival at Holland Civic Center

May 6-13

* Tall Ship Dockside Tours near downtown (weather permitting)

May 6

* Tulip Time Run 5K, 10K and kids’ fun run

May 11 Kinderparade

May 13 Volksparade

May 13

Fireworks with food, music and festivities planned by Latin Americans United for Progress

Details and ticket links at tuliptime.com

Bicycle Showband Crescendo

Aveyron

Marit

After 96 years, a Holland teacher gets her due

In the early 1920s, the landscape of Holland, Michigan, featured farms and industry. Sure, it was Dutch — but not yet tulip-y. Someone had to plant the idea that the city should create tulip gardens, and that someone was Lida Rogers.

The Holland High School biology teacher had a vision for a more beautiful, engaging community — and she wasn’t shy about speaking her mind. In a 1927 speech to the Women’s Literary Club, Rogers proposed the town set aside a day each spring to celebrate tulips (and plant them like crazy). She urged people to “boost for it.”

The idea wasn’t brand new, but “it didn’t have a take-charge woman behind it” until Rogers stepped to the podium, said local history volunteer Deb Schakel. Three years later, Holland’s Tulip Time debuted.

Four days before this year’s festival be-

gins, a plaque honoring Rogers will be dedicated among the tulip fields at Windows on the Waterfront, the park two blocks north of Holland’s main drag. If you’re at Tulip Time in May, we suggest you tip your hat to her as you pass the new plaque where Windows on the Waterfront’s paved paths converge.

May 2, 2 p.m.

Windows on the Waterfront 85 E. 6th St., Holland

Lida Rogers

You gotta try this!

Eddy doesn’t just sing James Brown; it’s a full body experience. He is all over that stage. He feels good, just like he knew that he would. The Park Theatre audience hoots and hollers when he wraps up. They feel good too.

Is karaoke more fun on a real stage than on a platform at a bar? Is it more fun to perform with professional lights and a theater sound system — and if your number calls for it, a smoke machine? It sure looks like it.

“You’re not background noise,” said Jair Driesenga, who hosts the Park’s open mic nights and is the karaoke DJ. “People are there to express themselves and support each other.”

On the third Friday night of every month — this spring, March 17, April 16 and May 21 — the funky nonprofit theatre two blocks south of downtown Holland pivots from its open mic and tribute-heavy assortment of local bands. The doors open at 7:30 for karaoke. Music starts around 8. Five dollars gets you a high-top seat and an unpredictable mix of dang good performances.

The audience of several dozen is there for music and camaraderie, and if a beer from the Park’s bar goes down the hatch too, also good. There are folks in their 20s and their 60s, some in goth make-up and others in mom jeans. They’re hearing English and Spanish sung, rock and country and some nights maybe more, performed by vocalists who clearly weren’t pushed on-

stage by frisky friends. They are prepared. They have great pitch. When Halle Flowers of Remus leans into Miranda Lambert’s “Gunpowder & Lead,“ you thoroughly believe she’ll pull that trigger. Frank Anderson of Allendale, bathed in smoke and blue lights — no, green now — aces every note of Queen’s “Fat Bottomed Girls.” He leaves the stage smiling.

Story and photo by Ann Smith

The Village Baker

Foodies and pizza loyalists can all be happy here

by Ann Smith

As we settled in at our table and opened the menus, the first thing our server said after “hello” went like this:

“Our desserts are on the first page because life is short, and we feel that’s important.”

We’d never heard that from a server before. But we were, after all, in a place called The Village Baker.

The Spring Lake restaurant and bakery changed hands in January. The new owner is Doug Burton, who’s been the chef since 2018. He may tinker with the menu this spring, but that’s been routine all along. Other than that, he doesn’t plan changes.

“I love this concept, and all the people here are great,” said Burton. “I want it to be welcoming. I want people to come in and feel like we’re going to take care of them — a community gathering place.”

We do feel that way in this establishment that sits at the intersection of homey and hip. There’s ketchup on the tables, but tenderloin with wild mushrooms on the dinner menu. There’s vintage furniture in the cozy, warm green dining rooms, but also contemporary

art. Instrumental music is just audible below the happy hum of diners, and every hour on the hour, a cuckoo clock chimes in.

What a fun combo it is, right down to pickle-shaped erasers and ironic tea towels in the hallway gift shop — and in the women’s restroom, a photo gallery of bold, pioneering women, with biographical hand-outs to take home. (They were installed by Sara Rathbun, who, with her husband Oran Rankin, opened the Village Baker in 2011.)

At each meal there’s variety and lots of it. At breakfast there are eggs and five kinds of pancakes, but you could opt for eggs

benedict with lobster. At lunch, along with sandwiches, burgers and pizza the Village Baker offers grain bowls and salads. Feijoada, a Brazilian stew, is served daily. Dinner entrees include several German dishes; beef with spaetzle (small egg noodles) and pork schnitzel were hits at our table.

Pizza is a customer favorite, our server told us. We enjoyed an unconventional one, the garlic and greens pizza: thin, chewy crust; nutty cheese laced with spinach, artichoke

hearts and golden cloves of roasted garlic topped with salty, crunchy pretzel crumbs.

Pastry chef Michelle Bracken and her team create the desserts, including mousse, a chocolate bombe, cheesecake, carrot cake and Black Forest cake. If you’re picturing cupcakes, don’t. Lemon cheesecake, for instance, alternates three discs of light cake with two layers of lemon curd and a cheesecake middle layer, and it’s topped with lemon glaze and perfectly fresh berries. Bread and pretzels are sold from the bakery storefront, too.

The bar mixes signature cocktails. Michigan and Germany are well represented on the beer list, and there’s an international array of wines.

This is a place people are willing to stand in line for, and boy, do they—especially in the summer, even with two outdoor seating areas. Reservations are available (and wise) Labor Day through Memorial Day only, except for Sunday brunch.

The Village Baker

617 E. Savidge St., Spring Lake

616-935-7312

villagebaker.us

Meatball spaetzle

Israeli Couscous Salad

Pistachio Crusted Cod

Salmon Wellington

Ingredients

Kosher salt and pepper

1 Tablespoon Fustini’s Gremolata olive oil

1 shallot, diced

2 garlic cloves, minced

8 ounces fresh baby spinach

2 teaspoons Fustini’s Parmesan spice blend

4 ounces cream cheese

2 Tablespoons Parmesan cheese

2 teaspoons Fustini’s Citrus Oregano balsamic

1 (2 pound) salmon filet, about 1 inch thick, skin removed

1 sheet of puff pastry, thawed if frozen

1 large egg + 1 teaspoon water, beaten together for egg wash

Directions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shallot and garlic with a big pinch of salt and pepper. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until slightly softened. Stir in the spinach. Cook, stirring often, until the spinach wilts. Once wilted add the balsamic and stir in the cream cheese until melted. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and Parmesan spice blend.

Step 2

Place the sheet of puff pastry on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Make a bed of creamed spinach down the center, about the size of (or slightly smaller than) the filet. Season the salmon all over with salt and pepper. Place it right on top of the spinach.

Step 3

On all four sides, fold the puff pastry over the salmon to cover it. Gently flip it over so the seams are on the bottom. Brush the top and sides of the pastry with the egg wash. Cut several slits partway across the top of the pastry. Put the baking sheet in the oven and bake the pastry for 25 to 30 minutes, until it’s golden and crisp on the outside. Remove and let cool for 5 to 10 minutes. Slice and serve! Serves 6

Chocolate Orange Cheesecake

Courtesy of Lake Effect Kitchen

Ingredients

12 ounces Oreo cookies

24 ounces cream cheese

3 eggs

1 1/2 cups white sugar

4 ounces Triple Sec orange flavored liqueur

1 Tablespoon orange zest

6 ounces semisweet chocolate chips

3 ounces heavy whipping cream

1/2 teaspoon salt

Lake Effect Kitchen in Grand Haven provides meal prep and catering services while creating integrated employment opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities, at competitive wages. They believe in great food and authentic community for all people: inclusive workplaces where disabled and non-disabled employees work together as peers in a community-based, non-segregated setting.

Directions

Step 1

In a food processor, blend the Oreo cookies into crumbles. Coat a 10” springform pan with baking spray or softened butter. Pack crumbs into the bottom of the pan.

Step 2

Heat the cream in a saucepan on medium heat. Add the chocolate and stir until melted. Remove from heat.

Step 3

In the food processor, blend the cream cheese, eggs, sugar, Triple Sec, orange zest and salt. When blended, add the cream/chocolate mixture and blend until smooth.

Step 4

Pour batter into springform pan. Bake for 1 hour and 10 minutes or until center is set (does not move when slightly shaken). Refrigerate for 3 hours.

After arriving at El Paraiso Mexican Restaurant on a sunny Saturday afternoon, we grabbed a small booth and quickly paged through the menu until we spotted what we were here for.

“Churros!” I shouted.

My son smiled across the table from me. Tucked away in the menu full of authentic Mexican food was a small photo of churros, fried dough covered in cinnamon sugar.

What makes El Paraiso’s churros extra special, though, are their fillings: strawberry, vanilla and caramel.

I ordered three of every kind at $1.50 each.

The waitress looked at me like I was a little crazy, but wrote it down and left. I’m used to weird glances from servers all across the country, so I figured we were on the right path.

Traditional Mexican music played in the background. The restaurant, which has been in business for 25 years, had good weekend vibes.

Before the food arrived, the waitress

dropped off a to-go bag at our table. Strange, I thought, but we got this.

Well, about ten minutes later, our treats arrived and I couldn’t believe my eyes. Each churro was about a foot long and they covered a plate.

The first couple of bites were heavenly. The dough was crunchy and the cinnamon sugar was so sweet. Then we tasted the warm filling and became instant believers. My son’s favorite was strawberry, mine was vanilla.

After about 15 minutes of savoring the treat, we hit a wall and surrendered, walking out with a few churros to-go.

If you’re looking for a warm, sweet treat this spring, drop by El Paraiso, located between Holland and Zeeland at 112th Avenue and Chicago Drive.

El Paraiso Mexican Restaurant

11190 Chicago Dr., Zeeland

616-396-8040

elparaisomexicanrestaurant.webstarts.com

Story and photo by Jeremy Gonsior

A treat of impressive magnitude... Great fillings, great crunch  bring wow to El Paraiso’s

RESALE TRAIL

Shop the trail of unique boutiques

1.

2.

3.

Guardian Brewing Company:

Everyone’s welcomed for craft beer, pub grub and camaraderie

I stared at the beer choices on the blackboard. I was stymied. So, Guardian co-owner/brewmaster Kim Collins asked about my taste preferences.

Nothing sweet. Nothing fruity. Something a bit strong, zippy, maybe even nutty. “I even like pickle juice,” I told her.

Soon my flight of five beers sat before me. I laughed out loud – loudly enough for the whole room to hear me – when I got to No. 3. Tigris, its name. To me, pickle juice. I laugh even as I write about it.

It was my second favorite of five. No. 1? An Oktoberfest named Wunderschon.

Barbara Haas, my friend from San Diego, exhibited distinctly different taste. Her favorite was a pale ale named Chimera, but she ooh-ed and ahh-ed over MICO, a spicy

cream ale brewed with hatch chiles from New Mexico. The Midwestern me had never even heard of hatch chiles.

The point? Lots of different beers here. And lots of fun checking them out in this brew pub along Blue Star Highway near Saugatuck.

Flights of five come in a horseshoe-like tray because the Guardian logo is a winged horse with a horn. (Collins calls it a “pegacorn.”) The bar echoes the horseshoe shape. Amenities added for comfort include a footrail and purse hooks. In the booths, seats are designed so feet can be tucked under the seat rather than kicking someone on the other side of the table. Who thinks of these things?

Oh, yeah – Collins and her partner,

Story and photos by Elizabeth Granger

Barbara Haas

Beer cheese and soft pretzel bites Tacos

co-owner Kate Bishop.

There’s also hard cider, classic cocktails, wine and non-alcoholic beer. Food, too: pub grub with plenty of gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options. Think not only nachos, tacos and pretzel bites with cheese but also brats, Reubens and salads.

The building was the Red Barn Theater for decades. It was born in 1912 as a horse barn, converted to a summer community theater in the late ’40s, underwent a number of additions and renovations, and in 2017 was purchased by Guardian to become “the ultimate craft beer destination.” It opened to the public in late 2018.

The restaurant currently seats 92. An outside patio for 50 has an awning, gas fire pit and heaters.

Grab a board game from the bench. Test your knowledge on trivia night. Listen to live music on summer Sundays. Join the Mug Club.

Or book a seat at Beer School, once a

month classes/drinking sessions led by Collins, a certified cicerone (like a wine sommelier, but for beer). The class on April 6 will cover teatime beer pairing, and the session on May the 4th will feature lagers and Star Wars, of course. (Mystified? Read it out loud.) Other monthly sessions pair Guardian beers with stuff like salsa or pie — eventually, something for everyone.

And make no mistake, Guardian Brewing Company is for everyone. Collins and Bishop are proud to say it’s Michigan’s first 100% LGBTQ+ and women-owned craft brewery. The Pride flag is prominently displayed in front of a large window. On its beer cans, too.

“Inclusion” just might be Guardian’s middle name.

Guardian Brewing Company

3657 63rd St., Saugatuck

269-543-2238

guardianbrewingco.com

Beer flight

Fab Finds saugatuck & douglas

The Owl House

303 Butler St., Saugatuck Petrified Forest leaf bowls. Variety of sizes. $12.50-$137.50

Lulu Cadieux

3480 Blue Star Hwy., Saugatuck Laguiole knives, cutlery and serveware starting at $46

Lucia’s World Emporium

421 Water St., Saugatuck Boho bags $28-$33

Lakeshore Pet Boutique

10 W. Center St., Douglas

Dog party hat $9.99, Birthday cake mix for dogs $9.99, Birthday Bash pooch pancakes $12.99

Art Out Loud festival brings together film, visual art and the outdoors

By Jeremy Gonsior

The documentaries shown at the annual Art Out Loud Community Film Festival this spring will spark a unique weekend full of adventure, creativity and conversation, organizers say.

Visitors to the festival on Saturday, March 25 will be captivated by short stories from around the globe shared on film, said Megan Scheerhorn, director of marketing for the Saugatuck Center for the Arts (SCA). The films, most of which run for less than 20 minutes, are organized in playlists, she said.

The festival playlists on March 25 include:

• 10 a.m., Big Green World playlist, shorts inspired by the love of the outdoors, creatures of all kinds, and creating a better future.

• 2 p.m., Indomitable Spirit, a playlist full of stories of those who are impossible to stop, who never give up in the face of adversity and always find a way to carry on.

• 7 p.m., Medley playlist, a collection of motivation and moments of extraordinary

awakening, including extreme sports and outdoor adventure.

The award-winning shorts are part of Mountainfilm on Tour, the traveling version of the Mountainfilm Festival based in Telluride, Colorado since 1979. The tour, which celebrates “adventure, activism, social justice, environment and indomitable spirit,” has made Saugatuck a regular stop as it canvasses the country.

“We are lucky to have been one of those locations for the last seven years,” Scheerhorn said.

But what sets the SCA’s Art Out Loud festival apart from most other Mountainfilm stops is its commitment to sharing more than just the films with visitors.

Whitney Valentine, the SCA’s director of education and exhibitions, continues to add elements that complement the films and attract new audiences. Films, music, food, art and the outdoors collide and create an “immersive experience that engages

Megan Scheerhorn

Whitney Valentine

all senses,” according to a festival news release.

“She’s been the driver of it since day one, adding to it and blossoming it into what it is now,” Scheerhorn said. “We are a multi-disciplinary art center. We are not just about film, and we are not just about art. People can have an experience that maybe they have never had before while they are here.”

Residents may be attracted to the films initially, but during the weekend they could also gain exposure to the visual arts and want to learn more.

“It opens up your mind a little more and introduces you to more people and more things,” said Scheerhorn.

One of the newer “inspirational add-ons” is an outdoor adventure night at Saugatuck Dunes State Park. Since many of the films are about outdoor adventures, it only made sense to kick off the weekend with time along the lakeshore, Scheerhorn said.

The free, family-friendly activity runs 6 - 8 p.m. on Friday, March 24. Visitors can make a paper lantern and hike along a lantern-lit path to the water. They also can grab a coffee or hot chocolate from the Outdoor Coffee

CONTINUED ON PAGE 46 g

PHOTOS: SAUGATUCK

Big Green World

Indomitable Spirit

Medley

Company and search for 15 tokens along the trail that can be redeemed for prizes at Woosah Outfitters.

Then, on March 25, Art Out Loud ticket holders can enjoy The Journal Project, the SCA’s spring exhibition by local artist Ruth Crowe. After the morning and afternoon screenings, Crowe will offer mini tours of her work and share about her creative inspiration.

Finally, during the 7 p.m. playlist screening, visitors will receive a special culinary experience from chef and SCA creative fel-

low Mindy Trafman. She will provide a snack during happy hour and, after the film, two small plates inspired by themes of the films.

What keeps visitors coming back year after year? Scheerhorn said those who attend always comment about how Art Out Loud films spark conversation.

“People love coming together to watch these films that make them think. They congregate afterwards and discuss the things they saw,” she said. “It’s fun, while it also makes you think.”

Saugatuck & Douglas

Proceeds from Art Out Loud ticket sales fund the SCA’s Children’s Film Festival, which helps local K-12 students learn about cultures, traditions, stories and spirits. In 2022, nearly four thousand students participated at the SCA and via digital screenings.

“All the programming is completely free and is made possible by the Art Out Loud festival,” Scheerhorn said.

Tickets can be purchased for individual March 25 Art Out Loud playlists; prices range from $12 to $35. Another option is the

Art Out Loud all access pass for $75, which provides special perks, plus access to all three screenings. A separate screening of family friendly Mountainfilm shorts on the previous Saturday, March 18, will start at 10 a.m., and outdoor activities will follow; family tickets are $20, and admit four people.

Saugatuck Center for the Arts

400 Culver St., Saugatuck  269-857-2399

sc4a.org/event/art-out-loud/

URBAN ST. READS

What better time than spring to think about nature, outdoor adventures and how to care for our planet? From the folks at Reader’s World Bookstore in Holland, a family business since 1967, here’s some recommended reading: books that explore the environment, environmental issues, and how we interact with the world and one another.

For the fiction reader:

Fellowship Point

Land conservation and friendship are at the heart of Alice Elliott Dark’s bestseller, the story of a celebrated author who attempts to set up a nature preserve around a beloved section of the Maine coastline. Old secrets come to light that test the loyalty of everyone involved. This engrossing novel reminds us to love the land and each other — and that people are never too old to change.

For the adventurer:

50 Hikes in Michigan

Jim DeFresne’s guide, now in its fourth edition, makes it easy to take in the natural beauty of Michigan by exploring a wide variety of exciting and scenic hikes. It provides in-depth information about the trails, such as terrain, access points, how difficult they are and how long it will take to hike them. It’s a handy resource for falling in love with Michigan’s great outdoors.

For the environmentalist:

Fresh Banana Leaves

Indigenous scholar and environmental scientist Jessica Hernandez explores what modern conservationism is getting wrong, reviews sustainable land management methods employed by indigenous communities, and calls for a holistic approach that will benefit both the land and the people who live there. Thought-provoking and full of fascinating insights, this is an essential read for anyone who wants to protect our land and water and see it flourish for the coming generations.

For the historian:

The Death and Life of the Great Lakes

We all love our Great Lakes and everything they provide for us, from drinking water to sites for fishing and boating. Dan Egan considers the threats the lakes face today, gathering advice from biological experts and delivering a harrowing portrait of our most valuable natural resource. His eminently readable work of journalism chronicles the lakes’ geological history and the impact of people and invasive species throughout the ages. This book reminds us of how special our Great Lakes are and encourages us to keep them clean and healthy.

For young kids: Backpack Explorer series

These guides aimed at kids, ages 4 to 8, are great ways to get them excited about the outdoors. Each guide offers engaging outdoor activities, crafts and games that teach identification skills and provide fascinating information about nature. Each one includes a magnifying glass. The series includes a wide range of subjects, from bugs and birds to trees and even beaches, and will encourage kids to get outside and explore.

Reader’s World Bookstore 194 S. River Ave., Holland 616-396-8548

readersworldbookstore.com

Giving Back with  READ Ottawa

Understanding medical forms, prescription medication, a restaurant menu, road signs, or a child’s report card requires the ability to read. Learning to read (or to read more fluently) can open the world to greater opportunities. Many of the adult learners in the one-on-one free tutoring program offered by the nonprofit agency READ Ottawa go on to get promotions at their current jobs or find better ones.

Q: What’s the agency’s history?

Stormie Drake: READ Ottawa was founded in 2008. The acronym stands for Reading Enables Adult Development. The first tutor training was held in the spring of 2009; the organization was established as a nonprofit in 2010. It started with three learner/tutor pairs and has grown each year to support more than 50 learner/tutor

pairs annually. In 2022, READ Ottawa expanded from northwest Ottawa County to include the Holland and Zeeland area. The program has evolved to provide adult education and life skills in addition to literacy skills.

Since READ Ottawa was established, the organization has helped 250 adults achieve literacy and language goals. In 2022 alone, READ Ottawa served 66 adults, trained 45 tutors, and had a total of 85 volunteer tutors.

Q: What needs does READ Ottawa address?

A: According to the Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies, 14 percent of adults in Ottawa County are reading below proficiency. The 2020 U.S. census found 199,592 adults live in Ottawa County, which means nearly 30,000 adults in Ottawa County read below proficiency.

Q: How does READ Ottawa respond?

A: READ Ottawa’s mission is to provide adults with an opportunity to improve and transform their lives by strengthening their reading and language fluency. The program

Stormie Drake, executive director of READ Ottawa

offers free tutoring to adults 18 and older who live in or near Ottawa County.

Each adult learner is paired with a trained tutor to receive tutoring in a one-on-one format. This format is essential because many people do not thrive in a classroom setting and need individualized instruction. Furthermore, many learners’ job schedules preclude attending scheduled classes offered by the community. Pairs meet weekly for one to two hours. Most often, they meet at local libraries due to the resources available. Typically, adult learners are in the READ Program for at least a year, but it varies according to one’s goals and progress.

READ Ottawa serves a variety of adults based on their unique needs and goals, so learners get help not only with English fluency and reading, but also GED preparation, driver’s license preparation, workforce development, financial literacy, family literacy and community involvement. Learners from other countries get help with the U.S. citizenship process.

Q: What type of training do your tutors receive?

A: Tutors are volunteers who are trained during an initial five-hour session that provides strategies, tools and resources. Because READ Ottawa serves adults with various skills and abilities, the training walks tutors through the types of learners they may be paired with. READ Ottawa serves both native and non-native English speakers. The training incorporates a culture-sensitive piece to understand that every learner is different, and that some have gone through traumatic experiences before coming to READ Ottawa.

Q: What are common outcomes?

A: Many learners go on to get promotions at their current jobs, or find better jobs which allow them to provide more for their families. The ultimate goal is that the learners improve their lives through literacy skills.

Q: How can people support READ Ottawa’s efforts?

A: READ Ottawa relies on the generosity of the community’s donations to continue to provide free tutoring services to adults. It costs $1,000 to support a pair for a year.

readottawa.org

PHOTOS: COURTESY READ OTTAWA

CALENDAR EVENTS

SPRING FARMERS MARKETS

Muskegon: at the Farmers Market, 242 W. Western Ave. Through April 29: Saturdays, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Starting May 2:  Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays, 8 a.m.–2 p.m. muskegonfarmersmarket.com

Grand Haven: at Chinook Pier, 301 N. Harbor Dr. Starting June 1: Wednesdays & Saturdays, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. facebook.com/grandhavenfarmersmarket/

Holland: at Holland Civic Center, 150 W. 8th St. Indoor farmers market March 18, April 1 & April 15, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.

Starting May 17: Wednesdays & Saturdays, 8 a.m.–2 p.m. hollandfarmersmarket.com

Now thru April 17

Holland: Storied Objects: Folk Art from the Holland Museum Collection, Holland Museum. Explore rarely seen folk art from the Holland Museum collection, including quilts, pottery, puppets, carvings and basket weaving. hollandmuseum.org

Now thru April 30

Muskegon: Golden Legacy: 80 Years of Original Artwork from Golden Books, Muskegon Museum of Art. More than 60 original illustrations from Golden Book classics, including “The Poky Little Puppy” and “Home for a Bunny.” muskegonartmuseum.org

March 17

Spring Lake: Shamrock & Roll, Tanglefoot Park, 4–9 p.m. Live music, dancing, games, food trucks and drinks, plus a pot-of-gold raffle. springlakerotary.com

March 18

Grand Haven: Spring Artisan Market, Central Park Place, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Local artists, vendors, crafts and food items all in one spot. Get ready for spring and plan ahead for Mother’s Day. visitgrandhaven.com

March 18

Holland: St. Paddy’s Leprechaun Chase, Centennial Park, 8:30 a.m. Participants are encouraged to dress in green outfits and Irish costumes. The Wee Chase starts at 8:30 a.m., 5K starts at 9 a.m. Signup closes March 17. holland.org

March 19 and select other dates

Fennville: Salt of the Earth Concert Series, Grace Theisen Band, 6 p.m. Series continues with two April performances: April 2, Seth Bernard and Jordan Hamilton; April 23, Charlie Miller Band. saltoftheearthfennville.com/events

March 19

Holland: Dance in Spring! Holland Civic Center Place, 3:30 p.m. hollandsymphony.org

March 19

Muskegon: Free Family Movie Day, “Black Widow,” Frauenthal Theater, 3 p.m. An action-packed spy thriller in the Marvel Studios superhero series: Natasha Romanoff must reconnect with her former allies to take down a notorious assassin after being separated from her Avengers team. frauenthal.org

March 21

Muskegon: MuskeCon 4, Delta by Marriott, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Toys old and new, vintage and nostalgic. Local artists will show original prints, paintings and custommade goods. Cosplay contest, tabletop and RPG gaming. muskecon.com

March 24

Muskegon: 2023 Alley Door Music Series featuring Brena, Frauenthal Center Hilt Building, 3rd floor ballroom, 6 p.m. In the final concert of this series, the six-member West Michigan party band Brena offers a little something for everyone, from oldies to current top 40 hits, classic rock to smooth R&B, country to high energy dance music. frauenthal.org

March 24

Saugatuck: Community Film Fest | Art Out Loud free all-ages event, Saugatuck Dunes State Park, 6–8 p.m. Begin at the State Park parking lot, then stroll down Beach Trail for a lantern-lit family-friendly hike. Coffee and hot chocolate to fuel up, plus a make-and-take project crafting a paper lantern at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts’ new Mobile Art Truck. sc4a.org

March 24

Muskegon: West Michigan Symphony presents “Chaplin’s Smile,” Frauenthal Theater, 7:30 p.m. This multi-media performance combines live music with Charlie Chaplin photos, selections from his autobiography and clips from classic Chaplin films. The concert traces his relationship with 20th-century master composers and his own film scores. frauenthal.org

March 25

Holland: “Let There Be Rock” – Tribute to AC/ DC, 2023 Winter Legends Series, Park Theatre, 7 p.m. parktheatreholland.org

March 25

Saugatuck: Community Film Festival | Art Out Loud, Saugatuck Center for the Arts, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Award-winning short documentaries that take a deep dive into cultures, stories and traditions from around the world. Films provided by Mountainfilm on Tour of Telluride, Colorado,  plus music, food and more. sc4a.org

CONTINUED ON PAGE 60 g

Event

details may change. Be sure to call ahead before you go. Have an event to share? Email mdryer@hour-media.com. Please include dates, event name, location, times, description, prices and contact information (your name, email, phone and website).

CALENDAR EVENTS OF

March 25

Fennville: Modales Artisan Market, Modales Wines, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Support local artists and enjoy some wine. modaleswines.com

March 25 and April 29

Fennville: Winemaker’s Dinner, Fenn Valley Vineyards, 6 p.m. An elaborate meal with Fenn Valley wines paired by the chef and winemaker, who’ll be available to talk about the wine, and the theory behind the pairings. fennvalley.com

March 26

Spring Lake: Merchants and Makers Bargain Market, Trillium Events, 17246 Van Wagoner Rd., 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Bri Baron will perform; food and drinks available. $3 entry. merchantsandmakers.com

March 30–April 21

Muskegon: Postcard Salon 2023, Muskegon Museum of Art. In the 2023 edition of this yearly community art event, lakeshore residents (and artists of all ages and skill levels anywhere) were invited to create and submit a postcard this winter. Paper, ceramics, found objects, textiles — you name it, the museum hangs it. They’ll be exhibited for three weeks, and available for purchase starting April 20. muskegonartmuseum.org

March 31

Holland: Camille Thurman with the Darrell Green Quartet, Hope College Great Performance Series, Knickerbocker Theatre, 7:30 p.m. Thurman, a fast-rising jazz vocalist and tenor sax player, is also a composer and multi-instrumentalist. Her rich saxophone sound has been compared to Joe Henderson and Dexter Gordon, while her vocal style has been likened to Ella Fitzgerald and Betty Carter. tickets.hope.edu

March 31

Holland: Night Moves – Tribute to Bob Seger, 2023 Winter Legends Series, Park Theatre, 7 p.m. parktheatreholland.org

APRIL

April 2

Muskegon: Free Family Movie Day, “The Wizard of Oz,” Frauenthal Theater, 3 p.m. This award-winning 1939 classic (Best Score and Best Song Academy Awards) about a young farm girl’s adventures in the enchanted land of Oz was recently meticulously restored. frauenthal.org

April 3-8

Zeeland: Spring Fling at the Farm, Critter Barn, new location – 2950 80th Ave., 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Spring Fling week is a very special time of year to witness the miracle of new life at the farm. The mothering skills of the animals are amazing to watch. You might even witness a live birth or see young animals attempt to stand for the first time. critterbarn.org

April 7-8

Holland: Echoes of Pink Floyd – Tribute to Pink Floyd, 2023 Winter Legends Series, Park Theatre, 7 p.m. parktheatreholland.org

April 8

Spring Lake: The Great Village Egg Hunt, 8 a.m.–2 p.m. Candy-filled eggs will be hidden in various spots around the village – plus golden eggs with prizes. Out-of-towners are welcome at this all-ages egg hunt. visitspringlakemi.com

April 8

Saugatuck: Cowboy Junkies concert, Saugatuck Center for the Arts, 7 p.m. The band has toured since 1985 and released 26 hit albums with songs such as “Sweet Jane,” “A Common Disaster” and “Misguided Angel.” sc4a.org

April 8

West Olive: James Webb Telescope update, Hemlock Crossing County Park, 8 p.m. For astronomy buffs, a 1-hour presentation about the Webb Telescope’s important discoveries to date, and how the instrument is performing. The Shoreline Amateur Astronomy Association will have Hemlock Crossing’s new observatory open for night sky viewing (weather permitting). Registration not required, but appreciated. holland-saaa.org

CALENDAR EVENTS OF

April 11

At parks throughout Allegan and Ottawa and Counties: the kick-off of “Step it Up!,” a free 8-week program designed to help participants get active (and visit new parks) through guided group walks with varying paces, guided group adventures, goal setting, activity  tracking, healthy tips from a nutrition expert and more. To sign up, visit miottawa.org/stepitup

April 13

Saugatuck: Forest Immersion and Meditation Experience, 6–8 p.m., in a Saugatuck-area forest location (tba). Saugatuck Center for the Arts 2022 artist in residence Scotty Jacobs will lead this “forest bathing” experience: wander the woods, connect with your senses and rediscover your relationship with the natural world. Participants can document the experience in a nature journal and enjoy specialty snacks. sc4a.org

April 13–May 7

Holland: “Nana’s Naughty Knickers,” a comedy by Katherine DiSavino, The Holland Community Theatre.  Bridget’s summer stay with her nana in New York is not what she imagined—her sweet grandma is running an illegal boutique from her apartment, selling handmade naughty knickers to senior citizens. Evening performances April 13-15, 21-22, 27-29, May 6 and May 9-13; matinees on April 23 and May 7. thehollandcommunitytheatre.org

April 1 4–15

Muskegon: Lakeshore Living Show, VanDyk Mortgage Convention Center, Friday 4–7 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.–5 p.m. More than 50 expert exhibitors in home, garden, outdoor recreation and local cuisine will showcase products and services. lakeshorelivingmkg.org

April 15

Holland: Run of the Mill 5K, Windmill Island Gardens, 9:30 a.m. On opening day at the gardens, the course loops around the island to Windows on the Waterfront and back. T-shirt included if you register by March 31. holland.org

April 22

West Olive: Introduction to Nature Journaling, a workshop for nature lovers 8 and older, Hemlock Crossing County Park, 10–11:30 a.m. Many of us want to learn nature’s patterns and secrets, help protect its inhabitants, and gain an understanding of our place within it. Nature journaling helps us do this. Learn how to start a nature journal, a few drawing basics and some simple tricks to help you be successful. Pre-registration is required. miottawa.org/Parks/hemlockcrossing.htm

April 22

Holland: Romantic Masterpieces, concert featuring baritone David Grogan, Jack H. Miller Center for Musical Arts, Hope College. hollandsymphony.org

April 23 and May 14

West Olive: Bald Eagle Walks, Hemlock Crossing County Park, multiple afternoon sessions (see website). Bald eagles frequent areas along the Grand River and have nested at Grand Ravines for years. On guided hikes, learn about the park’s eagles and get a special private view into their nesting activities. Pre-registration required. miottawa.org/Parks/hemlockcrossing.htm

April 23

Holland: Tulip City Comics & Toyfare, Holland Civic Center, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Vendors with toys, comics and crafts, plus artists, superheroes and cosplay contests for adults and kids. Free for kids 12 and under. tulipcitycomics.com

April 27–29

Holland: “The Blue Coat,” dance performance at the Knickerbocker Theatre. Turning Pointe School of Dance presents the story of the journey of a young girl; based on Matthew 25: 35–40. tickets.hope.edu

April 28

Holland: Shut the Folk Up and Listen, featuring Keller Williams and Steve Poltz, Park Theatre, 7 p.m. A seated evening of song, story, and if all goes well, laughter. parktheatreholland.org

April 28

Muskegon: West Michigan Symphony presents a Louis Armstrong tribute, Frauenthal Theater, 7:30 p.m. An homage to the iconic jazz trumpeter and singer, featuring Armstrong hits including “What a Wonderful World,” “Saint Louis Blues” and “Ain’t Misbehavin’” performed by the WMS and trumpeter and vocalist Byron Stripling. frauenthal.org

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CALENDAR EVENTS OF

April 29

Muskegon: Earth Day Lakeshore Celebration, a march to Central Park Place at 12:30 followed by a fair, 1–4 p.m. Environmental groups, music, food for sale, activities for kids. facebook.com/ EarthDayLakeshoreCelebration/

April 29

Holland: Heads in Motion – Tribute to Talking Heads, 2023 Winter Legends Series, Park Theatre, 7 p.m. parktheatreholland.org

MAY

May 4–7

Muskegon: Muskegon Civic Theatre presents “Cinderella,” Frauenthal Theater. Muskegon Civic Theatre’s stage production of a contemporary, diverse adaptation of the beloved musical adds onstage transformations, some new characters and surprising twists while showcasing some of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s loveliest tunes, including “In My Own Little Corner,” “Impossible/It’s Possible” and “Ten Minutes Ago.” frauenthal.org

May 6–14

Holland: Tulip Time. Celebrate Dutch heritage and millions of blooming tulips throughout Holland. Enjoy Dutch dance performances, tall ship dockside tours, a tulip immersion garden, walking tours, art shows, a quilt show, concerts, theater performances, brewery tastings, parades and fireworks. tuliptime.com

May 6

Holland: Vintage baseball, Riverview Park, Windows on the Waterfront baseball diamond, 2 p.m. Stop by and watch the Douglas Dutchers take the field in vintage uniforms and play by 1860s rules and customs (no swearing, spitting or gloves). douglasdutchers.org

May 6

Saugatuck: Rooted in Michigan, Saugatuck Center for the Arts, 7 p.m. An evening of bold expression, interactive art, musical performance and more will open with spoken word, build on visual art and storytelling, and culminate in a celebration of female-centric musicians including a closing performance by May Erlewine. Ten artists will showcase their talents in various forms. sc4a.org

May 13

West Olive: Summer Sky, observatory stargazing at Hemlock Crossing County Park, 8–9 p.m. Long days and short nights are a summer challenge for astronomers viewing constellations — find out what can be seen in the summer sky. Registration not required, but appreciated. holland-saaa.org

May 19

Muskegon: West Michigan Symphony presents Brahms’ Symphony No. 2, Frauenthal Theater, 7:30 p.m. Three distinct works combine for this concert featuring WMS’s principal trombone, and Brahms second symphony, described by Scott Speck as “an oasis of sublime moments, where the world opens up and becomes transcendent.” frauenthal.org

May 20–21

Grand Haven: Kite Festival, Grand Haven State Park. World-famous stunt kite fliers perform to music on the center flying field, while kites larger than a school bus hover just to the south. Bring your own kite to fly on the open flying field at the north end of the event, or test fly the year’s newest kites on one of the manufacturers’ fields. Festival admission is free, but there is a fee to park inside Grand Haven State Park. visitgrandhaven.com

May 20 and select other dates through October 14

Saugatuck: Wine on the Water, Star of Saugatuck, 4 p.m. Sit back, sip and savor the wine (and views) as a wine rep guides guests through featured wines during a 90-minute cruise. Ages 21 and older, valid ID required. saugatuckboatcruises.com

May 21

Muskegon: Free Family Movie Day, “Moana,” Frauenthal Theater, 3 p.m. In this action-packed, animated Walt Disney film, an adventurous Polynesian girl leaves the safety and security of her island as a “wayfarer” on the sea, on a daring journey to save her people. frauenthal.org

May 27 and select other dates through October 21

Saugatuck: Beer on the Boat, Star of Saugatuck, 4 p.m. Enjoy a 90-minute cruise as a representative from a local brewery guides you through a tasting. 21 years and older, valid ID required. saugatuckboatcruises.com

May 27

Zeeland: Spring Peddlers’ Market, Church Street, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. An open-air market with vendors peddling one-of-a-kind wares including vintage furniture and décor, architectural salvage, farm-to-table treats, handmade specialties, antiques and repurposed finds. Live music. cityofzeeland.com

May 27

Holland: Mike Masse: Epic Acoustic Classic Rock concert, Park Theatre, 8 p.m. YouTube icon Mike Masse performs some of the best classic rock songs from the ‘60s to the ‘90s: the Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel, U2, Elton John, Rush and more. Masse has over 150 million YouTube video views. There will be something in the concert from each era of 20th century classic rock. holland.org

May 28

Muskegon: 18th annual Blessing of the Boats, 12:30 p.m. First, the gathering of the fleet on Muskegon Lake near the Milwaukee Clipper; then a parade of boats out the channel toward Lake Michigan, a ceremonial fireboat spray, and at 1:30 p.m., the Blessing of the Boats in South Breakwater Cove. lakeeffectboating.weebly.com

May 29

Memorial Day parades

Muskegon: begins at 340 Morris Ave., 9 a.m. visitmuskegon.org

Spring Lake: begins at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 10 a.m. visitspringlakemi.com

Zeeland: begins at E. Main Ave. & Centennial St., 9 a.m. zeelandfestivals.com

Holland: begins at 8th St. & Central Ave, 9 a.m. holland.org