Holland

Located on the shores of little Lake Macatawa, just off the coast of expansive Lake Michigan, Holland is the epicenter of West Michigan’s Dutch history and culture. Not surprisingly, then, the city is perhaps best known for its annual Tulip Time Festival in May. But there’s much more to the Tulip City than, well, tulips. The city’s downtown is on the National Register of Historic Places and boasts as much retail activity as any urban core in the region. The community is flush with wildly popular waterfront beaches like Tunnel Park and Holland State Park. And Hope College lends the clean, conservative town a bit of youthful spirit.

Anna Babinec is a nurse at Mercy Health in Muskegon.

‘Warrior angels’: Nurse shares frontline perspective in fight against COVID-19

Holland resident Anna Babinec cares for patients battling COVID-19 at Mercy Health in Muskegon. She shares what it's like to work among the "warrior angels" as the second wave of the pandemic continues to rage.  

Spring Lake Sparkle offers more than 120,000 multi-colored lights along that community's main street.
Sparkling displays spread joy in Lakeshore downtowns

In communities throughout the Lakeshore, downtowns are dressed up for the holidays. Shining brighter than the others this year is Spring Lake, where “a lot of love” went into the hands-on decorating for its inaugural Sparkle Festival.

Elizabeth Kidd is Vice President of Community Impact for the Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area.
$600,000 in direct cash assistance gives families flexibility in navigating pandemic

The Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area and other generous local donors created a funding pool of $600,000 for Movement West Michigan’s direct cash assistance initiative. The program provided emergency relief of $500 to more than 1,000 individuals and families, trusting them to make the best use of the funds.

St. Nicholas, known as Sinterklaas, rides a horse in the Netherlands. Papier mache figure made by Susan Brack, Liberty, Indiana, from a German Anton Reiche chocolate mold dated around 1930.
Meet the real St. Nicholas: Holland expert shares her St. Nicholas collection

The real story of St. Nicholas begins in the third century, in what is now Turkey. Carol Myers of Holland's St. Nicholas Center shares some of her favorite pieces from her St. Nicholas collection.  

The Felt Mansion is offering self-guided holiday tours.
Things to do in December: ’Tis the season for lights, gifts, and Santa

After these many months of battling coronavirus, December brings a renewed sense of hope and joy to the Lakeshore. Winter is upon us, and there’s a nip in the air. Whether you want to get outside or stay home, there are enjoyable ways to explore Ottawa and Allegan counties. This list includes options for everyone, regardless of age, ability, or interest.

Holiday gift guide: Online ordering and in-store shopping along the Lakeshore

Lakeshore small businesses are bursting with interesting and thoughtful gifts that are available in store and online. This list offers ideas for the beer drinkers, pickleball players, jewelry lovers, and anyone else on your list.

Allie Hopkins is the Associate Manager of Herman Miller Cares.
Herman Miller partners with Community Foundation to tackle COVID-19 crisis

Throughout the pandemic, Herman Miller has supported the Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area with impactful financial resources. Support from the Zeeland manufacturer has been directed to CFHZ’s Emergency Human Needs Fund and Community Stabilization Fund.

Koops Automation Systems team members work together to assemble an automated system.
Employee-owned Holland company on a growth streak

Koops Automation Systems is expanding for the third time in four years. The Holland manufacturer has built a reputation as one of the best employee-owned companies in the state.

Kids' Food Basket is expanding its meal program to children in Ottawa and Allegan counties with a new site in Holland.
Gentex makes commitment to fight childhood hunger

Zeeland manufacturer will donate $60,000 annually for five years — for a total of $300,000 — to help Kids’ Food Basket combat childhood hunger. A majority of the donation will go toward the nonprofit’s Feeding Our Future campaign to fund projects in Allegan and Ottawa counties.

Haworth received the West Michigan Circular Economy Leadership Award.
Haworth honored for circular design process

Haworth Inc. has long had a strong commitment to the environment. Recent developments to make its manufacturing process 100% circular netted the Holland company the West Michigan Circular Economy Leadership Award.

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