Shore Story: The Rodriguez-Matos success story showcases Holland at its best
How one community, several organizations and a whole lot of people with big hearts and open arms welcomed a refugee family to their new home and helped them succeed.
Shore Stories
Shore Story: To be a writer, you must write
Jodi Schaap has always been a writer, ever since childhood. It defines her. And now, she has her debut collection of poetry "Notes to Self" available at local bookshops and online.
Brave Like Breanna — new scholarship honors those who struggle against adversity
Breanna Lentz would have been a 2024 Plainwell High School senior. Diagnosed with juvenile Huntington's disease, Breanna died before that could happen. Her sister created a foundation in honor of Breanna and a scholarship to help others struggling to overcome adversity.
Shore Story: Teacher, students create sound baths for healing, relaxation
Carrie Ledet explains how she and her students immersed themselves in learning about sound baths, going through the instruments in the West Ottawa's Harbor Lights Middle School band room to create the most relaxing experience.
Shore Story: Grand Haven man champions Company F, Purple Hearts awarded posthumously
Chris Petras relates how he came to document the actions of 20 men of the 126th Infantry/Regiment, 32nd “Red Arrow” Division WWI that earned them Purple Hearts. Petras was honored as the Tri-Cities Historical Museum's 2023 Historian of the Year for his efforts.
Shore Story: Foster kids need your support
As a former foster kid, Jennifer Becksvoort asks you for one minute to put yourselves in the shoes of foster parents. One day they have no kids, and the next they have kids who needed so much both physically and mentally. This month she is collecting clothing and other essentials for foster kids in West Michigan.
Shore Story: A resource for peaceful resolutions
Penny Shuff reflects on her work at Mediation Services, where her natural peacemaker tendencies combine with her skills as a communicator.
Shore Story: Helping others find food when they need it most
Gina Fairfield has made it her mission to find and list all the local mini food pantries where people in need can find food, no questions asked.
Shore Story: Gratitude and appreciation one pen stroke at a time
Creating a Zentangle unfolds one stroke at a time, and so did Yolanda Vega's journey with the art form — from her first class in 2017 to a mindfulness practice during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic to a way to process grief at the passing of her mother. Now a Certified Zentangle Teacher, Yolanda shares her story.
Local Youth of the Year competing for national title
West Ottawa High School senior Isabel Shepard is in New York City this week, competing for the title of National Boys and Girls Youth of the Year. She talks about what the year-long leadership program has meant to her.
