Making syrup from maple tree sap brings a sweet reward, but it takes a lot of work. Lakeshore syrup producers — large and small, young and old — are tapping trees, collecting sap, and boiling it down to just the right consistency. And they love it.
The Holland Board of Public Works is retiring debt early for the Holland Energy Park that opened in 2017, eliminating millions of dollars in interest. The utility is passing along those savings, increasing its annual contribution to the city and proposing a 10% rate decrease for customers.
Alla Dickson’s life story — born in Russia, residing in Cairo, then years in Siberia before creating a fairy tale retreat on the Lakeshore — is as captivating as her work. Her oil and watercolor paintings have received numerous honors and awards, including from Tulip Time and ArtPrize.
Grand Rapids Community College is focusing on safety as it plans to offer more on-campus classes this fall, though online and hybrid formats will continue to be offered. The college also plans to maintain through the fall its programs that offer loaner laptops, Wi-Fi hotspots, and other equipment.
The Grand Haven Area Community Foundation recently approved a five-year investment in IFF. Income from GHACF’s stake in the community development financial institution will be used to provide loans to nonprofits in Northwest Ottawa County target communities.
Kelly Chapman doesn't see what she did as noteworthy, but helping a senior client struggling with anxiety to vote for the first time has garnered praise from Ottawa County.
At least 21 states, including Michigan, are trying to stop the spread of zebra mussels and related invasives found in moss balls intended for aquariums.
Nonprofits, health care providers, and governments have forged relationships that helped them better address the COVID-19 pandemic. The triennial Ottawa County Community Health Needs Assessment shows 2020 was the year of COVID and mental health.
The program also delivers healthy meals to patients via Meals on Wheels for 10 days and provides other resources to connect patients to fresh, nutritious food.
Ottawa County employees “thrive on being in a learning environment,” says HR Director Marcie VerBeek. E-learning opportunities and Zoom classes allowed county staff to soak up new knowledge in spite of pandemic constraints.
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