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Rockford photographer competes in ArtPrize
Award-winning nature photographer and Rockford resident Stacy Niedzwiecki will be competing in ArtPrize 2009. Her Michigan Moments photo series will be displayed at SanChez Bistro, a popular downtown Grand Rapids restaurant located at 38 West Fulton.
Niedzwiecki’s images are an inspirational journey through the most picturesque locations in the Great Lakes State, from backyard settings, local parks and beautiful lakeshore areas. The artist invites her audience to experience peace and tranquility found in the natural splendor so unique to Michigan. Her ArtPrize entry features a series of large gallery-wrapped canvas giclée prints, paired with a multimedia screen presentation along a 36 foot wall on the second floor mezzanine level of the restaurant.
Artists from across the country and 24 other countries are competing in ArtPrize. Niedzwiecki hopes that her work will have enough “hometown appeal” to viewers that she will land in the top ten finalists. “My goal is to carry the flag for West Michigan and the things that are so wonderful for those of us living here,” Niedzwiecki says.
Voting for ArtPrize contestants begins the opening night Wednesday, Sept. 23 at 6 p.m. and will continue through Wednesday, Sept. 30. On Thursday Oct. 1, the top ten ArtPrize artists will be announced at which point the public will then vote for the placement of those ten artists. In order to vote, the public must register at an official registration location. There are 14 places throughout downtown Grand Rapids. For details on voting and how to register, visit www.artprize.org/vote.
For an entire afternoon of ArtPrize fun, Niedzwiecki suggests a good day to plan a visit will be Sunday, Sept. 27. The venues located in the Heartside district are collaborating on a special neighborhood “Strolling Brunch” event.
Some venues will be serving complimentary food items and have a cash bar available from noon until
4 p.m. Niedzwiecki, along with other artist, will be present to discuss their work. Other opportunities to meet the artist at SanChez will be available throughout ArtPrize—visit stacyn.com/artprize/events for the schedule of appearances.
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Harvest Fest—Week one is family fun
FAVORITES—Hayrides and scarecrow making are favorites that take place all three weekends of Rockford Harvest Festival. This weekend, enjoy family fun with games, BBQ, an antique tractor parade at 1 p.m., downtown and much more.
Forget high-tech, old-fashioned food and games are best
What did kids and adults used to do to have fun? Find out during the three weekends of Harvest Festival in Rockford, starting this Friday with Family Fun Weekend.
This year, what is new is what is old as students from the Rockford High School Youth Initiative offer old-fashioned games in Garden Club Park (by the dam). The games are free, although the club is accepting donations. The group has set a high goal this year of building a Habitat Home, hopefully somewhere in Rockford.
The games will be noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays all three weekends and 1 to 4 p.m. each Sunday.
The three weekends of fun begin Friday, September 25 as Rockford Rotary repeats their popular chicken dinner sale at the Rotary Pavilion from noon to 8 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Drive-up service is available for to-go orders.
All three weekends enjoy hayrides, scarecrow making, and activities and demonstrations around town.
Returning with a new twist is the chili cook-off, formerly a Jaycee event, now organized by the Rockford Chamber. Chefs should hone their recipes now for that event, held Saturday, October 3 during Heritage Weekend. Judges will be local firemen, traditional experts in the field. Set up will be in the Rotary Pavilion at 10 a.m.
Also returning that weekend is the classic car show and fiddle competition.
Kids will enjoy a chance to challenge their skills in a coloring contest (see page 11) with entries to be displayed at D&W. Winners will be announced the second weekend of Harvest Festival.
“There are lots of new things, and also returning favorites,” said Brenda Davis, Rockford Chamber Director. Davis said merchants are joining the fun more this year by offering in-store demonstrations. Harvest Fest is in its 33rd year and is a celebration of old-fashioned activities and of hometown enjoyment.
Rockford is the perfect setting for such an event, and is often compared to a Norman Rockwell painting come to life.
Not all events take place in downtown proper. D&W will be selling hotdogs to benefit the North Kent Service Center this Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. Rockford Hardware will host an antique tractor show Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Located in Rockford’s “east side,” Herman’s Boy will have the Rogue River Artists with work on display and for sale all three weekends.
Take a peek back in time all three weekends with tours of the Little Red Schoolhouse (near North Rockford Middle School) from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturdays.
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Cannon clues continue
Last week’s complete clues:
1. Before the river and the rapids you’ll see, figure it out and you’ll find me.
2. To get ahead on your chase, see the local doc without haste.
This week’s partial clues:
Clue three, part one: A well known anchor may a id…
Clue four, part three: …some people cheer.
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Encampment enchants visitors
Youngsters learned what it was like to prepare to charge into battle (above), and what sort of items a Native American was likely to have for daily use. The 23rd annual Grand Rogue Living History Encampment was Saturday and Sunday, September 19 and 20. Reenactor Mike DeJonge said participants are very dedicated, and rules about period dress and behavior are very strict. To the public, it is like walking back in time from the French and Indian War on up to WWII, showing both military and civilian living. To learn more visit grandrogueencampment.com.
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Meijer donates $100,000 to WWW Family YMCA
BIG BUCKS—Bev Thiel, executive director of the WWW YMCA and Stacie Behler, vice president of corporate communication and public affairs at Meijer.
The YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids is very pleased to announce that Meijer has made a very generous donation to the residents of northern Kent County by contributing $100,000 to the Wolverine World Wide Family YMCA located in Belmont.
The six figure amount is allocated to the 2007 expansion of 14,000 square feet which was needed just two years after the Wolverine World Wide Family YMCA opened in 2005. “Meijer understands the value that a strong YMCA brings to the community it serves by providing a solid foundation based on positive activities and programs. Meijer also appreciates the fact that a strong, healthy and vibrant community benefits all area residents and the YMCA’s mission is a critical part of a positive community equation,” said Stacie Behler, vice president, corporate communications and public affairs at Meijer.
Wolverine World Wide Family YMCA serves 7,700 members and provides the northern Kent County residents with more than 200 wide-ranging programs. Originally built in 2005, it became quickly apparent that an additional 14,000 square foot expansion was needed to fill the high demand for a health, wellness and fitness facility that would meet the need of the growing northern Kent County corridor.
“We are thrilled to receive such a generous gift from a West Michigan original retailer like Meijer. The money will help in many ways now the expansion is complete. This gift will enable thousands of kids and families to reach their potential in spirit, mind and body in our newly expanded Wolverine World Wide Family YMCA,” said Bev Thiel, Executive Director of the facility.
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