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Veronica Kirin's book chronicles the high-tech revolution by exploring its impact on the Greatest Generation. Outdoor lifestyle store Beyond of Ada offers clothing, footwear

National book award

and accessories.

Former Grand Rapids resident Veronica Kirin’s book, “Stories of Elders,” was selected as a finalist in the History: General category of the annual National Indie Excellence Awards, a national book awards program that celebrates independent authors and publishers.

“Stories of Elders” was published in 2018 by Identity Publications after Kirin travelled over 12,000 miles across America, interviewing members of the Greatest Generation about their experience with the high-tech revolution. By chronicling more than 8,000 years of life lived during one of the most transitional periods in American history, “Stories of Elders” offers “old-fashioned insight into the management of technology.”

This award comes in the midst of Kirin’s latest research and next edition to the “Stories of…” book series, “Stories of COVID,” an anthropological study of the worldwide impact of the COVID-19 pandemic through individual interviews documenting the paradigm shift for future generations. Prior to that, Kirin was working on “Stories of Tech,” documenting Generation Z’s perspective of the high-tech revolution. Learn more about her work at www.veronicakirin.com. Beyond of Ada The company behind Bill & Paul’s Sporthaus has opened a new outdoor lifestyle store in Ada, Beyond of Ada, offering a variety of fashionable clothing, footwear and accessories.

“Ada is a community that is dedicated to the outdoors and provides the perfect setting for Beyond,” said Daniel G. DeVos, owner and chairman. “Our team is excited to bring their passion and knowledge to the area by offering a variety of brands and styles for outdoor enthusiasts, as well as shoppers who are looking for high quality lifestyle clothing and accessories.”

While this new offering will give shoppers another option for finding outdoor apparel, company representatives said Bill & Paul’s East Paris location will remain the place to go for outdoor equipment, including kayaks, camping gear, skis and snowboards.

Find Beyond of Ada at 551 Settler’s Drive, Suite 100. Name change Apparently, people were getting confused by the restaurant New Hotel Mertens’ name, thinking it was a hotel. As a result, this month, the restaurant has undergone a name change to Mertens Prime. It is also introducing a few new menu items — steaks and chops.

New Hotel Mertens Bakery, housed in the same building, will be renamed Mertens Café with a new, highly focused menu specializing in made-to-order beignets (French doughnuts) and poutine (hand-cut French fries topped with cheese curds and gravy along with many other options and toppings). It also will specialize in café au lait featuring a new proprietary blend of coffee and chicory in partnership with Sparrows Coffee & Tea.

Haute, the rooftop lounge, will be renamed Mertens Rooftop, and will not undergo any significant conceptual changes. 35 Oakes St. SW.