Women's LifeStyle Magazine, May 2019, Purpose & Passion by womenslifestylegr

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Grand Rapids|Holland|Grand Haven

MAY 2019

Milinda Ysasi, Stacy Stout, Beca Velazquez-Publes and

The Latina Network of West Michigan

PURPOSE & Passion

From left to right: Pantone Notebooks – Galison, Vase – Jeff Blandford Gallery, Coink! Mini-piggy bank – Dreams USA, Camera Keyring – bcmin

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Spotlight on Community Initiatives

Purpose and Passion Sponsored by Grand Rapids Community Foundation

Kid’s Food Basket

At Kid’s Food Basket, teams of volunteers fight child hunger in Michigan by bringing “sack suppers” or meals to schools for children who can’t rely on having a meal outside of school. Volunteers of all ages are welcome to help pack sack suppers, decorate bags, deliver meals, host fundraising events and more. Teens also have the opportunity to join the Youth Action Board and learn about fundraising, community networking, planning and leadership Visit kidsfoodbasket.org to see a list of volunteer opportunities in your area.

Adopt-a-Forest

Join a team of multi-generational nature lovers by signing up to Adopt-a-Forest. Through the Michigan Coalition for Clean Forests, teams of all ages are assembled to combat pollution in our state forests. Volunteers not only pick up trash in forests, but also help to educate others on the environmental impact of pollution and how to recycle various products. To sign up, visit cleanforests.org. The Grand Rapids Mayor’s Youth Council (MYC) was established in 1999 from the Our Children, Our Future Standards which calls for young people to be seen and heard at City Hall. Every year, Grand Rapids residents in grades 9th through 12th learn important lifelong skills in leadership, team-building, political strategy, and public speaking. Students spend up to 70 hours of service on the MYC by meeting monthly with the mayor to discuss policy issues, participating in community service projects, and planning an annual youth forum called KidSpeak.

In the Image

In The Image is a nonprofit, free clothing store for those in the West Michigan community going through a crisis. Children are invited to volunteer in a variety of ways, including hosting a fundrive to purchase shoes or running a clothing drive. Volunteers can always help out at the store, with cleaning, sorting, organizing, maintenance. To sign up, visit intheimage.org.

Women at Risk

Volunteers of all ages are welcome to help out at Women at Risk International, a nonprofit that seeks to help women facing all kinds of harm and abuse. Operating around the world, volunteers are able to help out and tackle the specific issues facing their own community. Visit the West Michigan headquarters to help prepare donations, tag products and organize inventory for the retail store.

Mel Trotter Ministries

Mel Trotter Ministries provides dynamic support for families and individuals experiencing homelessness. In 2017, 88 percent of those housed through the ministries programming remained housed after one year. There are volunteer opportunities for all ages (youth under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult), including working in the thrift store, food services, administration and more. Go to meltrotter.org/ givehelp/volunteer to learn more.

“We’re on earth for an uncertain amount of time so it is important to us that we do what we can to individually support causes we care deeply about.” - Margarita Chappell

“The Mayor’s Youth Council is a unique experience for youth because it puts them in spaces where decisions get made. Concurrently they discover their own power and voice.”—Program Coordinator Shannon L. Harris.

Meet our One Hundred New Philanthropists Margarita and Jeffrie care about nonprofits that work toward economic and social equity, especically related to balancing educational opportunities. You don’t need a million dollars to be a philanthropist; you just need heart and an organization to help you move forward. Learn more by contacting Jenine Torres at 616.454.1751 or jtorres@grfoundation. org.

Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • May 2019

Contents PUBLISHER Two Eagles Marcus ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Roxanne O’Neil EXECUTIVE PUBLISHING CONSULTANT Carole Valade EDITOR Elyse Wild editor@womenslifestyle.com PRODUCTION DESIGNER Larissa Espinosa EDITORIAL INTERN Moya Tobey CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Allison Arnold Elyse Wild Kayla Sosa Moya Tobey Samantha Suarez COLUMNISTS Erick Gerson Heidi McCray Kelsey Emmanuel Kelsey McCracken Lori Marks Samantha Hodge Peaches McCahill PHOTOGRAPHY David Specht Elyse Wild Isabel Garcia Two Eagles Marcus ADVERTISING SALES sales@womenslifestyle.com CALL (616) 458-2121 EMAIL info@womenslifestyle.com MAIL 3500 3 Mile Rd NW, Ste A Grand Rapids, MI 49534 IN MEMORIAM Victoria Ann Upton, Founder 1955 - 2018 To extend an uplifting, inclusive and vibrant invitation to enjoy life, every day, in our community.

May 2019 Edition #254

womenslifestyle.com

24 The Latina Network of

PHOTO BY DAVID SPECHT

West Michigan

What Your Coffee Order Says About You PHOTO BY TWO EAGLES MARCUS

23 Kent County Youth Summit Empowers Youth to Reach Their Peak 24 Sharing Identity: The Latina Network of West Michigan 26 She Mills: Holland’s DeZwaan Miller Alisa Crawford on Being the First Dutch-Certified Miller in the Americas 27 Inside Out: GVSU Class Brings Students and Prisoners Together 29 Research with a Mission: At the Van Andel Institute (VAI), Rochelle Tiedemann, Ph.D., is Broadening Our Understanding . of Cancer

HEALTH AND BEAUTY

PHOTO BY ISABEL GARCIA

Denise Herbert of the Kent County Youth Summit

7 Ten Ways to Increase Purpose and Passion this May 10 Finding Your Essence: Who You . “Should” Be 12 Tips from the Makeup Artist: Makeup for Mature Women 14 Cultivating Healthy Habits in Your Kids 16 Women Over 50 Invisible are not Invisible

LIFE AND STYLE

18 Tips to Make Your Move as Smooth as Possible

FOOD AND DINING

30 Recipes: Ricotta Puff Pastries with Strawberry Compote, Cranberry Strata and Creme Brulee 32 What Your Coffee Order Says About You, According to a Professional Barista

31 Creme Brulee PHOTO BY TWO EAGLES MARCUS

LEARN & DO

35 Her Legacy: Mabel Balyeat 36 The Real History of Cinco de Mayo and How to Celebrate Respectfully 37 Reader’s Lounge

29 Rochelle

Teidemann, PH.D.

Cinco de Mayo: The Real Story Behind the Holiday and How to Celebrate

ABOUT THE COVER

Photographer: Isabel Garcia | Subject: Milinda Ysasi, Stacy Stout and Beca Velazquez-Publes I have been a part of the Latina Network for two years. When I was invited to take the cover photo, my heart jumped! For me, it was like taking photos of family. I admire how each of them strives to make a difference.

FEATURES

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

38 Event Spotlight: The Grand Rapids Symphony Celebrates Women . with Special Concert 39 May Events 40 Event Spotlight: Ele’s Place Healing Hearts Breakfast 41 Event Spotlight: Rad American Women A-Z 43 Face and Places

Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • May 2019

From the Editor Each month, we celebrate women in our community who are living with apparent purpose and voracious passion, and this edition is no exception. Meet Alisa Crawford, miller of the historic De Zwaan windmill in Holland, MI. Crawford is the first woman and the only person in the Americas to be admitted into the Dutch Miller’s Guild, an extraordinary accomplishment she pursued tenaciously (26). Read about Denise Herbert and how she creates programming designed to impart selfworth to more than 1,000 West Michigan children at the Kent County Youth Summit (23). At the Van Andel Institute, postdoctoral fellow Rochelle Tiedemann, Ph.D., is conducting research that could transform our understanding of cancer and how to treat it. Tiedemann chose her path after her life was impacted by losing her uncle to liver cancer (29).

Some of the best things in life are free! including

Women’s LifeStyle Magazine! Thank you to our community advertising partners for making it possible.

ONLINE ONLY CONTENT We have too much great content to fit it in all in the print edition every month. Please visit womenslifestyle.com for exclusive online content featuring:

You will notice our cover depicts three incredibly vibrant women: Milinda Ysasi, Stacy Stout and Beca Velazquez-Publes. They are the founders of the Latina Network of West Michigan, a group that provides community and support for Latinas living in the area. At the first meeting in 2014, they were stunned as 40 women showed up, affirming their notion that West Michigan Latinas were in need of a place to belong and thrive. Five years later, the group continues to grow and wage an impact as its membership is empowered personally and professionally (24). As always, our columnists bring you their best tips on how to elevate your everyday life, from to finding your essence (10) to applying makeup to mature skin (12) to cultivating healthy habits in your kids (14).

Behind the Rad Women Project How the public art project about the legacy of women came to life.

Lass Laugh Comedy Festival The all women comedy festival returns.

Heritage Hill Annual Tour Turns 50 Look into the historical neighborhood and some of its most famous homes.

Who Run the World Circle Theatre celebrates 80 years of girl groups.

Grand Rapids is brimming with outstanding events for everyone. The Grand Rapids Symphony presents “Celebrating Women,” a special concert taking place on May 3 that celebrates women composers and their contributions to classical music (36). On May 29, Ele’s Place invites you to their Healing Hearts Breakfast, where you will learn about the organization’s mission to support local youth as they navigate grief (40). And, on May 7, Kate Schatz, author of Rad American Women, A — Z, visits Grand Rapids for special events surrounding the Rad Women Public Art Initiative on display now in downtown Grand Rapids. Visit womenslifestyle.com to read more about what is taking place this month: Barbara Roelofs, founder of the Heritage Hill Annual Tour, shares 50 years of preserving the historic neighborhood; we take you behind the scenes of the Rad Women Project; Amy Gascon brings together some of the Midwest’s best female comedians to tickle our funny bone at the Lass Laugh Comedy Festival; and Circle Theatre kicks off a spectacular concert series that honors girl groups throughout history. I hope these stories, columns and events inspire you as much as they did me. I hope this edition prompts you to open yourself up to your purpose, whatever it may be, and pursue your passions, whether a little bit each day or all at once. Happy reading, West Michigan!

-Elyse Wild, Editor

APR 2019

YEARS LOCAL

MEG GOEBEL

Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • May 2019

Women’s LifeStyle is a dynamic multi-media platform designed to make beneficial connections in our community. The positive, upbeat, award winning and popular locally owned publication is supported by a dynamic mobile friendly online presence and an interactive website (including an events calendar, embedded video), as well as friendly, helpful and consistent social media interaction with the community. With 490+ distribution locations, Women’s LifeStyle is favored by an active, engaged and progressive audience. You are now looking at the 254th edition. All content ©Women’s LifeStyle, Inc. 2019.

Grand Rapids|Holland|Grand Haven

Read previous editions online at WomensLifeStyle.com

MAR 2019

WOMAN UP & CELEBRATE

OF CELEBRATING

WOMEN

History on the Bench: 17 T H C I R C U I T C O U R T J U D G E

Ten Ways to Feel Beautiful Physical Acceptance and Wellness

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10 Ways to Increase Purpose and Passion in Your Life in

MAY

Meditate on how to align your purpose and your passion.

All exceptional achievement begins with purpose and passion. Passion shapes purpose and shared purpose with others is what brings it all together. Here are ten ways to increase purpose and passion into your life. BY PEACHES MCCAHILL

Create a personal mission statement as well as a passion plan.

Be aware of what you are posting — it says a great deal about you. Partner with like-minded people.

Learn from your mistakes.

Question yourself.

Be an avid learner — read and listen to Ted talks and podcasts.

Understand your what and why—dig deep.

“To be a teacher and to be known for inspiring my students to be more than they thought they could be.” — Oprah’s mission

Know how you define success.

Map your own future.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Peaches McCahill is founder and president of The McCahill Group, a leading provider of health, wellness, beauty and talent solutions, and owner of M Power Studio. She has a passion to inspire others with simplistic lifestyle suggestions.

Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • May 2019

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Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • May 2019

Health & Beauty

“Ultimately, shouldstatements can be selfdeprecating, leaving little room for compassion and self-acceptance.

Finding Your Essence:

Who You “Should” Be

hink of a moment in your life where you felt so alive and full of joy. There are moments when we are so lit up, that we can almost quite literally see ourselves beaming. You’ll recognize this when people talk about something they love — their eyes brighten, their breath shifts and bliss seems to radiate from their face. It's in this state that we are quintessentially ourselves. Mindful practices bring us closer to that essence of ourselves and help us find ways to integrate that truth into our everyday actions. One of the benefits of mindful living is becoming more aware of our internal and external dialogues. In observing the words we choose to express ourselves, one word stood out as an unsuspecting offender to authentic living: should. When combined into a statement, this small but mighty proclamation carries an abundance of undesirable consequences.

WHAT IS SHOULD?

Should-statements fall under the umbrella of cognitive distortions, a term derived from cognitive-behavioral theory and practice. It denotes a biased way humans perceive themselves and others. These should-statements are so commonplace that unless you are deliberately on the lookout for them, the subtle ways they interweave into everyday discourse means they often go unnoticed. It is significant to differentiate between the “should” we use in daily speech, versus the “should” that delineates morality. Absolutely, there are things we should ethically do as human beings, that is not the problematic should we are discussing here. The problematic should is the one that has been adopted into everyday conversation to account for our daily choices and state of being. I should have a perfectly organized home. I should have a flatter stomach. I should be over this by now.

BY SHAHAD ALZAIDAN

These types of should-statements reflect self-defeating beliefs, often resulting in a multitude of negative states of being, including heightened fear, anxiety, and worry. Should-statements rooted in this negative thinking pattern fuel feelings of inadequacy, and prevent us from living more fulfilling and authentic lives.

any empathy or understanding. In much the same way that our worth does not diminish by the inability of others to see it, our responsibilities and choices are not to be measured by another person’s set of personal standards.

Should is based on the expectations of others. When you think you should do or say something, it is often wrapped up in what we think other individuals deem as the acceptable way of being. Furthermore, should is based on our own perceptions of what we think we must be. These perceptions stem from being constantly inundated with intense external pressures telling us that we must look, act, and feel certain ways, despite how we actually are and why we came to be.

Luckily, we are not powerless against the influence of should. The next time you or someone else claims that you “should” be doing something, pause for a moment, and ask yourself, “Why?” Why should you do that thing? Inquire, not in a defensive manner, but in a gentle nudging way to discover what lies beneath the should-statement, and what motivating force fuels it. It is in this questioning and mindful pausing that we can make an alternative choice, perhaps considering the use of “could” or “would like to” instead. Suddenly, a harsh “I should have done better”, turns into a much more compassionate “I would have liked to have done better, but I did the best I could within the circumstances I was in”. Becoming aware of the perils of should does not mean you will suddenly fall into a Utopian, should-free existence. Rather, by recognizing how often we “should” ourselves, we can dismantle some of the thought patterns that do not serve us, resulting in a heightened ability to build kinder relationships to ourselves and others.

Should is guilt-ridden and fueled by shame. At its core, should tells us that we are not enough. It is an admittance of a desire for a reality that is different from the one we are currently living in. When we exclaim that we should be doing something, we are admitting that an action is already occurring, but that an alternative action performed by a more perfect, flawless version of ourselves ought to be taking its place instead. Ultimately, shouldstatements can be self-deprecating, leaving little room for compassion and self-acceptance. Should is contagious. When we get used to using shouldstatements toward ourselves, it becomes more likely that we will use them against others. This seats us in a place of unwarranted judgment, as telling another person that they should be doing something is principally a reflection of our own values and expectations of them, not theirs. Using should-statements in this manner inappropriately entitles us to force our opinions upon others, without

MOVING PAST SHOULD

An immigrant living in the heart of Grand Rapids, “Shoosh” is a practitioner of mindful living and a believer in the healing and transformative powers of love, kindness and dance.

Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • May 2019

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Health & Beauty

TIPS FROM THE MAKEUP ARTIST: Makeup for Mature Women

his month, I am excited to talk about makeup for mature women. Many people think that wearing makeup will age you even more, but it’s all about knowing what works for you and understanding the proper tools and application that enhance your features. Now that your kids are all grown up, it’s time to pamper yourself a little! Here are a few tips to help you along the way. As we age, our skin gets dull and sometimes becomes dryer. Before applying makeup, prime the skin with a richer moisturizer. Choose a cream-based foundation that is a tint warmer to add some color back into the skin. Apply it with a sponge to work the product into the skin. The best way to add an instant lift on your face is by applying your blush where you regular apply your highlighter — on the highest point on your cheekbone. Since eyebrows thin out and are not as full as when we were younger, I like to fill them in and add a slight arch. This fullness and lift will add a youthful appearance as well. For eyes, you'll be excited to know that we can do a mini eye lift without any type of surgery, just the magic of makeup! Start applying the liner on the top eyelashes. Then drag the pencil out and up in an angle toward the tail of your eyebrow. Next, blend the liner with a small eyeshadow brush. Make sure the brush is on an angle in the outer corner to create a lift and be sure to smoke it out, so it looks soft. Making the liner slightly thicker and blended will create the illusion of thicker lashes too. On my gorgeous model I used a neutral lip that added a little color, yet still gave a natural look. Next, I used a darker berry tone on the outer corners of the lip. In the center, I added a peachy color to add fullness. I followed up with a lip gloss to add a fresher, younger look. To finish up, I dusted a little setting powder in the high traffic areas of the face: around the nose, on the forehead, and lightly under the eye.

My model, Debra Williams, is a beautiful 53-year-old woman. She’s a mother of two, a hard worker, and a model for Unique Models & Talent modeling agency. I asked her for some advice for other women her age. “Spend more time on you. Do your hair and makeup. Stay away from old makeup styles (blue eyeshadow, thin eyebrows, etcetera). Find what’s current. Be a vibrant version of yourself and try going outside the box. You may find a new woman in you!

Products used: O Embryolisse Lait-Crème- Concentré O Bobbi Brown and Black Opal creme stick foundation O MAC cosmetics eyebrow pencil

O Urban Decay 24/7 Eye Pencils O Fenty Glow Lip Gloss O Kat Von D Setting Powder

Erick Gerson is a makeup artist from Mexico. He has won consecutive wedding makeup awards, appeared on TV shows and been published in magazines all over the world. To connect with him, visit erickmakeup.com or check out his Instagram @erickmakeup.

Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • May 2019

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Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • May 2019

Health & Beauty

Healthy Habits

Cultivating in Your Kids

veryone has a unique health journey, and often, people seek help from experts, such as fitness coaches and nutritionists, for ways to improve their health and fitness habits. We naturally enjoy following leaders because we know that they have knowledge and expertise in areas in which we need more guidance. If you are a parent, an older sibling, a nanny, or someone who is a role model in a child’s life, you are their go-to expert and their guidance for everything! Cultivating healthy habits in your kids takes particular steps, and three easy ways to get started is through leading by example, partaking in healthy activities together and guiding your family’s food choices.

Lead By Example

Your little ones are constantly watching you — they think you are pretty cool, so it’s important to be a good role model who embodies healthy living. Be conscientious of your own health and fitness regimens, as they will imitate the things you do and acquire the habits you have. If you have a gym membership, check to see if your gym is kid-friendly, so your kids can come hangout and watch or join you for a one-hour workout session. It is also important to explore your child’s interest. If they love dancing, enroll them in a hip-hop class! Sports provide several options as well; and not only do sports keep your children’s bodies healthy and moving, they also provide lessons and challenges that will help them build good character and great camaraderie. Chances are kids are going to continue engaging in physical

activity without having to drag them by their feet if it is something that interests them.

Do Things Together

Yes, it can be hard balancing a demanding job (or jobs!), raising kids, keeping up with daily to-do’s, and maintaining your own health and sanity. So what is the one focus that will make the biggest difference? The answer is staying involved. In today’s day and age, it is easy to resolve a child’s boredom with iPads and gadgets, but it's important to not allow electronics to replace physical activity and quality time together. Make exercise a family activity and a fun experience. This can include everyday activities, such as walking the dog, playing tag, building snow forts or going to the park. Not only will you be able to enjoy quality time spent together, but you will also both reap the benefits of physical activity. Another healthy activity that you and your child can do together is grocery shopping and preparing meals together. This will give you an opportunity to teach them about nutrition and learn more about their food preferences. Children will be bolder in trying new foods that they help you prepare because it is a part of the fun experience together.

Guide Your Family’s Food Choices

Eating healthy is not about forcing your children to eat foods they don’t like and controlling everything they consume; this could lead to them associating stress with eating. Instead, create an environment that will help

BY KELSEY EMMANUEL

them practice making healthy food choices. Leave the cookies and chips at the grocery store and have healthy snacks visibly available and within arm’s reach for them. Your family's diet will resemble the food you keep in your house. Encourage your children to drink more water and avoid bringing sugar-packed juice boxes and soda into the house. Sugar is addictive, and if it is available, children will most likely consume it because it tastes good, not because they are thirsty. Find out more about your child’s school lunch program to make sure they are getting a wide variety of healthy foods when they are eating at school, or just simply make them a nutritious lunch to-go. Forming healthy eating habits is essential, but keep in mind that you are trying to develop an overall healthy lifestyle that is sustainable and enjoyable for them, too. So when your kids are outside of the home, at parties or social events, don’t deprive them of enjoying a bowl of ice cream or a having a pizza party with their friends. It won’t destroy their health and everything you’ve built, so don’t sweat it; it’s one meal versus a solid, healthy foundation that you have cultivated into their daily lifestyle that they will be able to carry into their adulthood. Kelsey Emmanuel is a certiﬁed CrossFit Level 1 trainer. Follow along with her workout tips and tutorials on Instagram @kelsey. emmanuel and on Facebook at Kelsey’s Health Journey.

Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • May 2019

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Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • May 2019

Health & Beauty

Women Over 50

are not Invisible

BY HEIDI MCCRARY

A 50-year-old French author, not worth naming, remarked in a magazine earlier this year that women older than 50 are invisible to him. “The body of a 25-year-old woman is extraordinary. The body of a woman of 50 is not extraordinary at all,” he is quoted as saying, showing his maturity level to be closer to a pubescent boy than his actual age. While the paper-thin insights of this one man aren’t worthy of rebuttal, the truth is, the belief that women 50+ lose their luster is shared by a disproportionate number of people in modern-day culture. A recent study revealed that more than two-thirds of women over the age of 45 have experienced a fallen lack of confidence—judged negatively because of their age from the opposite sex, and by younger women. Technology also plays a role in the perception of older women being out of sync with social media and the digital world, which is not at all true. But perception is everything, and while the cliché is that men grow old in a dignified fashion, women just grow old. As a woman 50+ with my own domain, Twitter handle and Facebook professional pages, my online footprint is impressive; and I look within and see anything but. On the local-front, Michigan Governor Whitmer, at age 47, is just hitting her stride. Other notable West Michigan women include WMU Athletic Director Kathy Beauregard, U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, and Grand Rapids Urban League VP & COO Brenda Moore. And there are countless other professionals, artists and creative souls finding their voice at an age that shouts from the rooftops, “I’m just getting started!” Let’s follow the lead of 71-year-old actress, Glenn Close. As a 2019 Golden Globe winner for her portrayal in The Wife, she delivered this impassioned acceptance speech honoring her late mother.

A recent study revealed that more than twothirds of women over the age of 45 have experienced a fallen lack of conﬁdence—judged negatively because of their age from the opposite sex, and by younger women.” “… I’m thinking of my mom who really sublimated herself to my father her whole life. And in her 80s she said to me, "I feel like I haven’t accomplished anything. …What I've learned from this whole experience is, women, we’re nurturers, that’s what’s expected of us. We have our children, we have our husbands if we're lucky enough, and our partners. But we have to find personal fulfillment. We have to follow our dreams. We have to say, "I can do that, and I should be allowed to do that."

The other day, as my grown son gazed at the DIY décor flowing throughout our living room, he looked at me and asked why I never displayed my artistic flair while he and his brother were still living at home—not comprehending the sacrifices a mother makes when given the choice of self-expression or simply keeping a home from imploding. But the truth is, we need to make time for ourselves at every phase in our lives. Women are far too willing to sacrifice self-worth for the sake of loved ones, and it doesn’t have to be an either-or decision. My job is balanced with my passion for writing and my life-long goal of becoming a mediocre golfer. As a woman 50+, I’m looking forward to the second half of my own story. Here’s a thought: Choose not to be invisible!

Heidi McCrary is a writer and co-owner of Ad Shop, etc. – a boutique advertising agency offering full-service and alá carte marketing services to local businesses. Contact Heidi at heidi@adshopetc.com

Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • May 2019

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MAY EVENTS

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Michigan’s Haunted Lighthouses Thursday, May 16 7:00 pm Main Library 111 Library St NE Michigan is home to more lighthouses than any other state, and some 30 of them are rumored to be haunted by the spirits of former keepers, mariners, and others with ties to these historic beacons. Dianna Stampfler, long-time writer and promoter of all things Michigan, will share stories from her recently published book, Michigan’s Haunted Lighthouses. A question and answer period will follow the discussion. Copies of the book will be available for purchase and signing.

DIY G RPL

STRING ART Saturday, May 18 1:00 pm Main Library 111 Library St NE String a piece of art! We will be creating one-of-a-kind designs with wood, nails, string, a little hammering, and your own designs. All supplies are provided. Just bring your creativity and a desire to learn a new art form. Space is limited.

Herbs and Spice and Everything Nice Monday, May 20 7:00 pm Main Library 111 Library St NE Join Chef Jen, The Ginger Chef, to discover how to use herbs and spices to enhance your everyday cooking. Learn drying and storage guidelines and add new recipes to your repertoire. Enjoy small plate tasting and culinary trained techniques.

EVENTS ARE FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC 616.988.5400 WWW.GRPL.ORG Many of these programs are funded by the Grand Rapids Public Library Foundation.

Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • May 2019

Life & Style

Tips to Make Your Move

Smooth as Possible

BY KELSEY MCCRACKEN

“Here’s my secret: When you label your boxes bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, etc. Also write in large letters an ‘E’ or ‘NE.’ These stand for ‘essential,’ and ‘non-essential.’”

t’s said that moving is one of the most stressful things in life, but making it go smoother is all in the way you prepare for the move. If you’ve packed up an entire house before, you know it can get messy living around all of the boxes, not to mention trying to pack strategically for easier unpacking. Facing the same situation, here is how I moved into my new home in one day.

Start Packing

Collect cardboard boxes and sturdy plastic bins for heavy dishes, as well as all of the necessary packing material. My handiest tools were masking tape and a sharpie. Start with the large furniture pieces first—decide now if you want to sell your sofa, bedroom set, or dining table and purchase a new one for the new house. It’s better not to move it twice. If you plan to special-order new furniture, there is generally a wait time, so make sure to order in time for it to be ready for your new home. Assess which items are going to move with you, which are getting sold or donated, and which belong in the trash. Next, move to the closets — start with one closet in one room — pull everything out and go through it. Throw away any trash and make a “donate” pile. Lastly, tackle the basement, attic and garage. Think about how you’ll be using the new house when you pack. While it may be coming out of the spare bedroom, is it going to be most useful in the office, or is it just taking up space in the spare bedroom and needs to go in the basement of the new house? Pack your boxes according to where it needs to go in the new house. Here’s my secret: When you label your boxes bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, etc. also write in large letters an “E” or “NE.” These stand for “essential,” and “non-essential.” This was the most helpful thing I did for myself and those who were helping us move. When you’re in your new house and you look around at the sea of boxes labeled bathroom, you’ll know right away that box with the “E” has your toothbrush and shower items.

Loading the Truck

As you load all of these well-labeled boxes into the moving truck, strategically pack them so your “essentials” are at the back, that way they’re the last to come out, and they end up on the top of your box mountains. Keep your main large furniture pieces easy to access when you unload the truck. It’ll be much easier to move around furniture and play with the layout at the new house when there aren’t a ton of boxes in the way.

Unpacking

Once you have your furniture where you’d like it, start bringing the boxes in according to their labeled room. Unfortunately, my timeline didn’t allow for me to paint before move-in day, so we found it helpful to select an out-ofthe-way room to store those boxes in that will eventually go into the freshly painted rooms. If you were able to make it your own before move-in day, you’re already a step closer to being unpacked and settled in! Take some time to get shelves and cabinets wiped down before unpacking and definitely take your time unpacking and organizing. The worst thing you can do to your sanity is quickly unpacking things and not think through where you really want them. Eventually, you’ll either be irritated with where you put things and how disorganized they are, or you’ll end up moving it all around again. Organization is key! At the end of the day, the main thing to remember is to have a method to your moving madness. Every time we move we say to ourselves “never again!” but as long as you plan ahead and take every step you can to help yourself in the future, it should go smoothly.

Kelsey is an Interior Designer at Stonesthrow Furniture, and graduated from Kendall College of Art and Design with a BFA in Interior Design. She has a passion for historical home preservation and mixing multiple colors and textures in the spaces she designs for her clients.

Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • May 2019

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Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • May 2019

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Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • May 2019

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Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • May 2019

Kent County

Youth Summit

Empowers Youth to Reach Their Peak BY ELYSE WILD | PHOTOGRAPHY BY TWO EAGLES MARCUS

or nearly a decade, Denise Herbert has been equipping youth across West Michigan to rise above the influence of drugs and alcohol, effectuating their dreams and potential as they steer away from the pitfalls of substance abuse. “My favorite thing is impacting the lives of young people,” Herbert smiled. “I tell my staff, ‘If I can just touch one young life, I know I have done my job.’” Herbert is the SUD Prevention Services Director of Network 180 and the founder of the Kent County Prevention Coalition (KCPC). On May 10, she, along with her staff and nearly 100 volunteers, will be at DeVos Place for the 8th Annual Above the Influence: Kent County Youth Summit. The summit brings together 1,300 middle school and high school students from across the county for a day of engaging with community leaders, learning how to think critically about their future, finding the courage to be their authentic selves, and developing leadership skills and tools to avoid drugs and alcohol. “It is a life-changing event for the kids,” Herbert said. Herbert began working for Network 180 in 2005. It was then when she formed the Kent County Prevention Coalition, which became official in 2006. The coalition involves 25 member organizations representing 12 sectors— parents, businesses, media, schools/universities, youth-serving organizations, law enforcement, religious/ fraternal organizations, civic/volunteer organizations, healthcare and government.

DENISE HERBERT STANDS WITH GIANT-SIZED LETTERS STANDING FOR “ABOVE THE INFLUENCE.”

Herbert developed the coalition’s strategic plan to reduce substance abuse and misuse in our communities based on hard data. They target youth alcohol and marijuana use and adult heavy drinking and tackle emerging issues, such as rising opioid use. “We have a major focus on youth,” Herbert said. “Our belief is that if you get them young, it will minimize the number of adults in treatment. Research tells us that if you get family or a loving adult involved, and you let kids know that you are interested in them, that wards them away from substance use.” Eight years ago, KCPC launched the Youth Summit via a 30-minute long film introducing viewers to the concept of youth substance abuse prevention. The movie premiered at Celebration Cinema and featured a town-hall style conversation. The following year, the first official Youth Summit was held at DeVos Place, the response to which Herbert describes as overwhelming; 700 youth attended the event, more than twice as many as she was hoping for. “That showed me that we were on to something,” she said. Today, Youth Summit sees more than 1,000 participants. Herbert emphasizes that the message isn’t focused solely on alcohol, tobacco and drugs, but rather on staying away from negative influences, whatever they may be, and “having the courage to stand up and walk away.” Rather than shaming or lecturing, the summit program is “aspiration-drive,” one that empowers youth to live their best lives as their authentic selves. KCPC is adamant about meeting students on their level, which they achieve by means of a Youth Coalition that works closely with the adult coalition. The Youth Coalition is made up of 20 youth who help plan the summit, and Herbert says their input is vital to

Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • May 2019

DENISE HERBERT

the success of the event. The youth advise the adults on everything from workshop topics, opening and closing the event, video creation, giveaway prizes — and they create a new theme for each year. “Even though we extensively survey [attendees of the summit], it is this group of individuals who give us a good handle on what is going on in their world,” she expressed. This year’s theme is Transformers: Influencers Unleashed. Workshops include The War Within, focused on body image; The World Is Yours, centered around planning for life after high school; “PRIME” Communication, which will help participants learn how to develop effective communication skills; and break out sessions for girls and boys, and much more. Video footage from the 2017 summit shows the familiar halls of DeVos Place full of young Grand Rapidians smiling, laughing, dancing and engaging with speakers talking to them about respect, friendship, self-worth and rising above the influence of drugs and alcohol. The video is inspiring as it depicts youth becoming empowered to chart their own courses of success, to fulfill the destinies they set for themselves. Shanda Vaughn is a longtime Youth Summit volunteer and community youth educator at Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services. “It is hands down one of the best youth-centered and youth-driven coalitions in the area,” Vaughan said of the KCPC and Youth Summit. “I love seeing the youth being educated, encouraged and empowered in safe, fun atmosphere.” When she is not editing for WLM, Elyse enjoys traveling to far off lands, taking photos, listening to live music and spinning records.

Latina Network SHARING IDENTITY: The of West Michigan BY ALLISON ARNOLD PHOTOGRAPHY BY ISABEL GARCIA

“It started with four women in a cafe,” Stacy Stout, one of the founders of the Latina Network of West Michigan (LNWM), said. Stout, along with Milinda Ysasi, Beca Velazquez-Publes and Allison Lugo Knapp (who now lives in Portland, OR), were connecting over dinner when they realized the lack of groups in West Michigan specifically for Latinas. They had formed a community among each other, but felt the desire to share it. “Let’s throw a meeting together and see if people respond to it,” Ysasi said. They didn’t have any preconceived notions for what they wanted the group to be, nor did they know if anyone would even show up. At the very first meeting, nearly 40 Latina women showed up. The four founders asked attendees questions to gain a grasp of what the group should be and to help shape its future: What do they need as Latina leaders, and what does Latina leadership mean to them? From then on, the network grew organically, and the large group of women voted on a name for their collective: Latina Network of West Michigan. The group has grown tremendously since it originated five years ago this September. One can say the growth and success may have taken place so naturally because of the deep need for a space like this in the community. “Right now we’re in a really polarizing society and affinity groups play a role in helping people understand, de-construct things, be in a space where they can breathe and bring their authentic self,” Velazquez-Publes said. The LNWM serves as a space for Latinas to come together and build relationships and networks via professional development, self-care and social events. It also serves as a safe space for members to discuss the challenges they face as Latinas, both professionally and personally, and how to navigate these issues.

CICELY MOORE, AMY TZINTZÚN, STACY STOUT, MILINDA YSASI, CHRISTINA ARNOLD, BECA VELAZQUEZ-PUBLES, LORENA AGUAYO-MÁRQUEZ, ANA JOSE, LAURA URZOLA RIVAS

“[We’re] creating the space to really redefine our narrative of what it means to be Latina, Latino, Latinx — however people choose to identify their Latinidad. I think that has been something that I don’t know if we initially thought would come out, but has really been a need,” Velazquez-Publes expressed. From the sense of community it provides members to the career advancement many have had as a result, the LNWM has been more than empowering. “To me, [the Latina Network of West Michigan] means the world, understanding the fact that it’s so hard for us as Latinas to have a voice in the community, and then you find a group that empowers you to have that voice,” Ana Jose, who serves on the LNWM leadership team, said. “For me, as a transplant to West Michigan, this group is very significant in

“We feed oﬀ of each other and empower each other and having that has helped me not only become a member of West Michigan and feel like I have a home, but that this is a place where I belong, not just where I am living.” — Cicely Moore Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • May 2019

creating a place of belonging, but also helping me to feel like I am an agent of change, and changing the narrative for what Latina representation is here in West Michigan,” Cicely Moore, a member of the network’s leadership team, said. “We feed off of each other and empower each other and having that has helped me not only become a member of West Michigan and feel like I have a home, but that this is a place where I belong, not just where I am living.” The LNWM operates under a shared leadership model in which the members direct programming based on what they feel is needed, proposing ideas for professional development events and social gatherings. “We don’t want it to be prescriptive,” Ysasi said about the future of the group. The refreshing structure gives members the power to direct the organization in a way that’s reflective of what Latinas need to be empowered. “It’s a great space that I’m really proud to raise my girls in," Stout expressed. “We’re just normalizing Latina leadership. They’re gonna grow up, like of course we show up; of course we’re in leadership positions; of course we support each other.” The growth and success of this organization demonstrates its importance and ensures pathways to opportunities for future generations. “It’s not only supporting each other in here but supporting each other out there and making sure we’re each other’s voice,” Jose said. The LNWM recently became a 501(c)(3) and is continuing to work on providing more structure for the organization amid its rapid growth. Just as in the beginning, the founders are letting the members take the lead. “Overall, I think what’s clear even five years later is that the need is still there,” Velazquez-Publes expressed. “The whole idea that there is a group in which people have a shared identity and want to support each other and see each other is really powerful, I think much more powerful than it was when we were in the room together five years ago.”

“To me, [the Latina Network of West Michigan] means the world, understanding the fact that it’s so hard for us as Latinas to have a voice in the community, and then you ﬁnd a group that empowers you to have that voice.” — Ana Jose Allison Arnold is a freelance writer and avid adventurer who loves hiking, traveling and trying new foods. She loves writing about food and culture on her blog, For the Love of Tacos.

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Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • May 2019

She Mills:

Holland’s DeZwaan Miller Alisa Crawford on Being the First Dutch-Certified Miller in the Americas BY ALLISON ARNOLD PHOTOGRAPHY BY TWO EAGLE MARCUS

ALISA CRAWFORD AT DE ZWAAN

Alisa Crawford has always had a passion for history.

She has to look ahead and watch the weather, then set up the windmill, which usually takes about two hours.

When she was 15, she began a summer apprenticeship at a local historical village where she learned various skills such as spinning, weaving and cooking on a wood stove.

“The miller has always played a really essential role in the life of a community and the mill was also a place where a lot of people would come not only to have their grains ground, but because while they would wait for that process to happen, they would exchange the news,” Crawford explained. “I think it’s wonderful to still have the working mill and keep those traditions alive.”

One day when she was working in the bakehouse, she ran out of flour. “I went over to the mill to get more flour, and I kept on watching that milling process and I was absolutely enthralled,” Crawford said.

It wasn’t until 2006 when Crawford traveled to the Netherlands, that she decided to further her training as a miller. After much discussion, the Dutch Mill Society approved her to enter its training program. After studying two large books, all in Dutch, she passed the exam, becoming the first Dutch-certified miller in the Americas.

She took an apprenticeship with the miller so she could learn the milling trade. “I came to milling by being a baker first. I went from baker to miller,” Crawford explained. “I wanted to control the flour quality of what I was baking with and what better way to do that than to produce the flour yourself by being a miller. I didn't pause to think or consider whether it was a job for a girl or not — I was raised to believe that I could grow up and be and do whatever I wanted to do as long as I worked hard." In 2002, Crawford began milling at the De Zwaan Windmill in Holland, Michigan. De Zwaan, meaning swan, is a transplant from the Netherlands, the last original windmill allowed to leave the country after the Historic Building and Ancient Monuments Act of 1961 was passed in the Netherlands. Crawford primarily mills wheat, but also a local, organic non-GMO corn and occasionally mills rye for a local brewery. She mills between 10 and 12 thousand pounds of wheat per year, and works with bakers, chefs, brewers and distillers. Since the windmill is reliant upon wind in order to run, she only mills on days when there is enough wind to produce a yield.

In 2009, a Dutch miller came to Holland, MI to review the DeZwaan mill and determine whether Crawford would be admitted into the Dutch Miller’s Guild.

ALISA CRAWFORD WITH THE MILLSTONE AT DE ZWAAN

…through my own journey and my choices that I’ve made in life, I can be an example and a role model for other women and young girls; and if I can, then it’s a life well-lived.”

“I was the first woman to be admitted,” she said. “There were 25 Dutchmen and myself when I was admitted. I think that it takes somebody really special and unique to fully embrace this and really want to do it as a profession, but I hope that we do see a further increase in the future, and maybe in some way, through my own journey and my choices that I’ve made in life, I can be an example and a role model for other women and young girls; and if I can, then it’s a life well-lived.” This spring Crawford will be releasing volume two of her book, De Zwaan: The True Story of America’s Authentic Dutch Windmill, and also gearing up for the season. De Zwaan is open for tours and flour can be purchased at the mill or via mail order. Visit windmillisland.org for more information.

Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • May 2019

Inside Out: Grand Valley State University Class Brings Students and Prisoners Together

BY KAYLA SOSA

he Inside Out Prison Exchange Program brings Grand Valley State University criminal justice students to the Michigan Reformatory, a high-security men’s prison in Ionia. The course, a criminology class led by Dr. Jacquelynn DoyonMartin, is comprised of students and inmates who come together to bond over the course of 15 weeks. For the students, it is one of the most unique classes in their college career. “[The course] looks critically at courts, corrections and policing in the United States,” Doyon-Martin explained.

Like every college class, the first day involved a few icebreakers to get the students acquainted with one another. “Everyone was a little nervous,” Duplessis smiled. “We all sat in a circle, and it was every other — so you’d have an inmate on either side of you, and I just think that helped facilitate a better discussion. You aren’t having the outside students all crowded together, staring at the inside students — it was a big, immersive circle.”

“‘They’re going to think we’re horrible people, they’re going to think we're unintelligent.’ It brings together two nervous, uncomfortable populations to have, as Ashlee described, a conversation and hear opinions and viewpoints, which turn into amazing discussions.”

Ashlee Duplessis took the course before graduating in 2015. She said that on the first day of class they started with a tour of the prison.

Before taking the Inside Out class, Duplessis was convinced she wanted to be a prosecutor and “put bad people away.” After interacting with inmates and hearing the personal side of the criminal justice system, she decided to become a defense attorney.

“[We got an] idea of where they’re eating and sleeping, where their rec center was, their gym, what the yard looked like,” Duplessis said. “So that helped to give a perspective of where these people were coming from and what they get to see in their everyday life.”

“There were stereotypes in my head that I didn’t even realize I was really holding until I got to the class and was like, “I do feel that way, but why?'” Duplessis reflected. “The class makes you realize that you have a certain view of inmates based on what you see in the media, based on what you see in a textbook. You get to the class, and you realize, ‘Yeah they made a mistake, but they still have views, they still have opinions, they’re still people.’”

Upon seeing the living conditions of the prisoners, Duplessis felt a lot of different emotions.

Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • May 2019

“Our objective is to make students uncomfortable,” Doyon-Martin expressed. “What I think a lot of the outside, or the college students, don’t realize is that the inside students are just as nervous that first day. We have all these stereotypes that prisoners are hard and unfeeling, and I can promise you they are just as nervous and just as intimidated." Doyon-Martin goes on to describe how her inside students (prisoners) are nervous about what her outside students (GVSU students) will think of them.

The GVSU program is one piece of an international Inside Out Program that operates at colleges and universities around the globe. Classes can vary in any topic or major, but at GVSU, the focus is criminal justice.

“The day that we went and saw the prison, they were on a heat wave advisory,” she said. “People were miserable, which in 90-something degree heat, I could see. You just don’t really understand what the living conditions are like until you see it.”

Certainly, Duplessis said she was humbled by the experience.

DR. JACQUELYNN DOYON-MARTIN | PHOTO BY BERNADINE CAREY-TUCKER

After graduating, Duplessis went to law school at Michigan State Univiersity. She graduated last year and now runs her own law firm, Duplessis Law, in Royal Oak, MI. “I just want to make sure people are being properly represented,” she said. “Every single person deserves a defense, and my current goal right now is to continue learning and growing in the field.” Doyon-Martin said she wants people to see past stereotypes and think about prisoners as contributing members of our society. “The whole objective is to remind ourselves that they are still a part of the community. We have done a really good job creating a barrier between the community and incarcerated populations, and the vast majority of prisoners are going to end up back in the community … I think we’re starting to recognize as a community, who do we want coming back? We want stable citizens, we want rehabilitated citizens, we want citizens who have skills that can be put into the workforce.”

GVSU STUDENTS WORK WITH INMATES AT MICHIGAN REFORMATORY |COURTESY GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY| PHOTO BY MITCH RANGER

“The class makes you realize that you have a certain view of inmates based on what you see in the media, based on what you see in a textbook. And then you get to the class and you realize, ‘Yeah they made some sort of mistake, but they still have views, they still have opinions, they’re still people.’ —Ashlee Duplessis

the

Students who wish to join the Inside Out program at GVSU must be a criminal justice major or minor, and would have to apply and go through an interview process. The class takes place once a year in the fall. To learn more, visit gvsu.edu.

Kayla Sosa is a multimedia journalism student at GVSU. She’s a local freelance writer and enjoys spending time with her husband, her kitty and her family. When she’s not writing, she likes to go on nature walks, do yoga and paint.

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Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • May 2019

Research with a Mission: At the Van Andel Institute (VAI), Rochelle Tiedemann, Ph.D., is conducting thrilling research that may help broaden our understanding of cancer and how to treat it. BY ELYSE WILD | PHOTOGRAPHY BY TWO EAGLES MARCUS

s a postdoctoral fellow, Tiedemann works in labs under senior mentors while driving her own research projects, which primarily surround colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer deaths among both men and women, and according to the American Cancer Society, it is expected to cause nearly 52,000 deaths in 2019. Tiedemann is working on developing combination therapies to treat colorectal cancer that will yield a therapeutic response with less damaging side effects for patients. One of the drugs from her studies is FDA approved and is in a clinical trial within the Stand Up to Cancer Initiative, a nonprofit that provides funding to accelerate discovery for new cancer treatments. Additionally, Tiedemann is approaching cancer through epigenetics (literally meaning, “on top of genes.”) She explains that there are 3.2 billion base pairs of DNA in the nucleus of every single cell in your body, only two percent of which actually makes up who you are. “I have always been really interested in that dynamic,” she said. “How does that two percent know that it is colon cell, heart cell or brain cell? How do you get from DNA that gets coded for MRNA that eventually makes up the protein that makes up the cell and makes up who you are? That’s epigenetics.” Tiedemann is studying a protein that is frequently overexpressed in colorectal cancer. “We are figuring out how it leads to a cancer phenotype and how to target it,” she said.

“…knowing we can actually impact human health is extremely rewarding.” Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • May 2019

Tiedemann understands how cancer can usher devastation into the lives of individuals and families. While she was in her junior year at the University of North Georgia, her uncle was diagnosed with metastatic liver cancer. His diagnosis coincided with her realization that the path she

was on to become a veterinarian was not one that would ultimately fulfill her. She went into an undergraduate research program for science and was immediately taken with the nature of intensive research. “I loved it,” she expressed. “It is something new every day. I get to study the questions I am really interested in, and find out stuff before anyone else does.” The experience of losing her uncle, who passed within a year and a half of his diagnosis, paired with her newfound ardor for research led her to pursue a doctorate in biomedical studies. “It directed me to do cancer research,” she said. “The experience drove me to do research that has a mission.” Tiedemann emphasizes that as we learn more about cancer, the more we know that it is a collective of individual diseases as opposed to a single disease. “Each person has their own disease that you have to figure out how to treat, and that is the part I like,” she said. “I can help individual patients understand what their tumor is doing to their body and how we can intervene.” Tiedemann knows that the work she is engaged in now could very well save lives. “It is extremely rewarding,” she expressed. “It is why I do this. Especially the combination therapy study — the fact that it can go from the lab to the clinic as quickly as it can and knowing we can actually impact human health is extremely rewarding.” Donations to the ACS ResearcHERS: Women Fighting Cancer 2019 Campaign, which kicks off in May, will go toward Tiedemann and women cancer researcher like her. To learn more about the campaign or donate, visit ACSResearchHERS.org or call 1-800-227-2345

Food & Dinning

Ricotta Puff Pastries with

Strawberry Compote Courtesy of Family Features

erfect for a party or simply indulging yourself, these addictive pastry puffs make it hard to stop at one. Easy to assemble with these step-by-step instructions, the ricotta mixture and fresh strawberry compote are dynamic together, and provide a generous touch of sweetness. 2 1/2 1/2 1 1 1 1/2 1/4 1/2

sheets puff pastry cup, plus 1 tablespoon heavy cream cup granulated sugar, divided tablespoon ground cinnamon tablespoon water package of fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced cup homemade, part-skim or whole milk ricotta cheese cup powdered sugar teaspoon vanilla extract

Heat oven to 400 F. Cut both puff pastry sheets into nine squares. Make slit in corner of each square toward middle of the pastry. Fold corners to other corners to create pinwheel shape. Brush pastry with 1 tablespoon heavy cream. Combine granulated 1/4 cup granulated sugar and ground cinnamon then sprinkle on each puff pastry. Bake 12-15 minutes, until pastry is golden brown and raised.

In medium saucepan on medium to high heat, pour in remaining granulated sugar and water. Once sugar is dissolved, pour in fresh strawberries. Bring mixture to boil then simmer 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until strawberries are broken apart and semi-thick sauce is created. Let chill in refrigerator 2 hours. To chill faster, put in freezer 45 minutes. In medium bowl, using mixer, whip heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Set aside. In separate medium bowl, combine ricotta, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix until fluffy. Return whipped cream to ricotta mixture and whip for 1-2 minutes until mixture is light and fluffy. Spoon ricotta cream into the center of each puff pastry pinwheel. Spoon strawberry compote in middle of ricotta mixture.

Cranberry Strata

D 8 18 1/2 6 2 1/4 1/3 1/2

id you know that strata is Italian for layers? So you'll be happy to know that this strata is packed with delicious layers, so be ready to sink your teeth into cream cheese, cranberries, cinnamon and French bread.

cups French bread ounce package of cream cheese cup dried cranberries eggs cups milk cup maple syrup tsp ground cinnamon or nutmeg

In a greased 2-quart rectangular baking dish, arrange half of the bread pieces, about 4 cups. Cut cream cheese into 8-10 slices and arrange over the bread chunks. Sprinkle cranberries over bread chunks.

Top with remaining bread pieces. In a medium bowl beat together eggs, milk and maple syrup. Pour over bread in dish. Sprinkle with ground cinnamon. Lightly press down with back of spoon or spatula to saturate bread with egg mixture. Cover and chill for up to 24 hours. Preheat oven to 350 F. Bake covered for 45 minutes. Uncover then bake for 20 minutes more. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving. Serve warm and topped with maple syrup, if desired.

Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s LifeStyle Magazine â&#x20AC;˘ May 2019

Creme Brulee

D 4 2 2 1/2 6

azzle your guests with a decadent dessert like this creme brulee. With a rich and creamy filling topped with a sugary crust, these individual-sized sweets can provide a perfect ending to a nearly any get-together.

cups heavy cream teaspoons vanilla extract teaspoons ground cardamom cup granulated sugar egg yolks vanilla sugar

In large bowl, whisk together sugar and egg yolks. Slowly whisk warm cream into egg mixture until smooth. Set ramekins into baking dish with sides. Pour mixture into ramekins. Pour boiling water into baking dish about half way up sides of ramekins. Bake 40-45 minutes, or until custard is firm. Chill 1 hour.

Heat oven to 300 F. In a medium saucepan, bring the cream, vanilla and cardamom to simmer, whisking occasionally. Do not boil. Remove pan from heat and let rest 10 minutes.

Before serving, evenly sprinkle vanilla sugar on top. Use kitchen torch to caramelize vanilla sugar.

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Enjoy a fun and fast-paced style auction, with many fabulous items available! Tickets are $25/person and include brunch, coffee service, and chair massages. A mimosa cash bar will be onsite. This popular event sells out fast! Reserve your spot now by contacting Lynn Stroven @ 231.225.2758, Adonica Kunnen @ 231.557.2334, or emailing adonica.kunnen@gmail.com

How a Piccadilly Auction Works

A Piccadilly auction takes on a live, interactive format that gives everyone an opportunity to win big prizes for just a handful of quarters. Each item is priced in 25-cent increments, ranging from $.50 to $10.00. If you would like to bid on an item, you toss the designated amount of quarters into a bucket, with a winner drawn at random. Rolled quarters are available for purchase during the event, or you are welcome to bring quarters and paper bills with you.

Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • May 2019

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Food & Dinning

WHAT YOUR COFFEE ORDER SAYS ABOUT YOU, ACCORDING TO A PROFESSIONAL BARISTA BY SAMANTHA SUAREZ | PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID SPECHT

itting down for a good old cup o’ joe with colleagues, old friends or a date is a past time enjoyed all over the world. Drinking coffee is pretty good for you, too. Research suggests that consuming a moderate amount of it reduces your risk of a heart attack. One study from Seoul National University even found that just smelling coffee could reduce the stress caused by sleep deprivation. It’s no wonder coffee is such a cultural phenomenon. As for the type of coffee you drink? Like your wardrobe, your favorite restaurant or the shows you binge watch, your preferences say a little something about you. While baristas are not ones to judge, they are certainly qualified to make a few observations. Who better to reveal what your coffee order says about you than Leah Ritsema,cafe operations manager of Grand Rapids’ iconic MadCap Coffee Company?

ESPRESSO

Coffee brewed by forcing a small amount of nearly boiling water under pressure through finely ground coffee beans. Leah Ritsema: I get excited whenever someone orders an espresso. That’s the equivalent of ordering whiskey neat at a bar. It’s the chance to try coffee in its purest form. My impression of someone who drinks espresso is that they’re either really efficient or a true coffee lover. FUN FACT: When you order an espresso at Madcap, you get automatically get a double. Most of their other drinks (lattes, cappuccinos, mochas, etc.) contain espresso shots as well.

LATTE

MadCap’s Latte contains 2 ounces of espresso and 10 ounces of steamed milk with a nice thin layer of foam across the top.

LR: This is probably our most commonly ordered drink. I would say latte drinkers probably don’t like coffee all that much, or they’re looking for a safe bet.

CAPPUCCINO

MadCap’s cappuccino has 2 ounces of espresso, 4 ounces of steamed milk, and a thicker layer of foam on top. LR: Sometimes, when people order a cappuccino, they’re expecting a large foamy latte, but a proper cappuccino is actually a small drink. If someone orders a proper cappuccino, I would think of them as someone fancy or someone looking for something a little sweeter than a latte. It’s the perfect afternoon drink!

FLAT WHITE

Hugh Jackman, who owns a coffee shop in New York, says a flat white is “like a latte with a little less milk and more espresso.” LR: There are so many definitions of what a flat white is out there because it’s not a real drink. Usually, what they want is a short latte or a cappuccino that’s steamed like a latte. My impression when someone orders a flat white is that they think they know what they’re talking about, but they don’t.

LEAH RITSEMA, CAFE OPERATIONS MANAGER OF MADCAP ON FULTON STREET

ICED COFFEE

Coffee served over ice (duh). LR: Our iced coffee is a coffee concentrate brewed with hot water over ice. I personally love iced coffee because you can perceive more flavor in coffee when it’s cold. People who order this year-round, especially during winter, are stubborn, or they’re just looking to be refreshed!

Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • May 2019

get why people have a stigma against whole milk. Our whole milk is delicious! FUN FACT: Madcap does not use the term “skinny” when describing drinks with skim milk. They would call a “skinny latte” a “latte with skim milk” instead.

SUPER SPECIFIC COFFEE ORDERS

“Can I have a triple shot soy decaf vanilla latte with whipped cream, rainbow sprinkles and a silly straw?”

MOCHA

MadCap’s mocha is the same recipe as their latte, but with 8 grams of chocolate syrup made in-house. LR: People who order this probably want to take a cute picture for social media. Mochas look great in photos because the chocolate creates a darker surface to work with and it contrasts more with the foam. It’s pretty ‘grammable!

COFFEE WITH FLAVORED SYRUPS

LR: If someone wants a cup of coffee with vanilla syrup, my first impression is that they’re inexperienced coffee drinkers or have never tried our coffee plain. I always encourage people to try it before adding something to it! They expect it to be bitter, but our coffee is delicious and easy to drink.

BLACK COFFEE

Coffee brewed by letting hot water drip down through grounds, served without any additives like milk or sweetener. LR: I’m super stoked when someone orders this! Like I said, a cup of black coffee or espresso is the purest way for us to show you what we do here.

AMERICANO

Espresso shots topped with hot water. LR: We don’t have Americanos on our menu, but we can make it if people ask for it. My impression is, why don’t you just get a cup of black coffee? Or enjoy the espresso on its own instead of drinking a watered down espresso? I would say that people who order this are on a diet, or they think there’s more caffeine in espresso than brewed coffee, which is not true.

COFFEE WITH MILK ALTERNATIVES (SOY MILK, ALMOND MILK, ETC.)

LR: It depends. They’re either people with real dairy allergies or Instagram fitness models. I don’t

Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • May 2019

LR: This is the worst. The reality is, a lot of people are used to big box coffee shops that can cater to anything they want. At Starbucks, for example, they can customize your drink in a bunch of different ways. Our menu isn’t designed like that. If you just try the drink the way it was intended, I promise it will taste a lot better! When you make all these weird changes to it, it doesn’t taste as good. People who order drinks this way are probably used to getting things exactly how they want, have never worked in service before or don’t actually love coffee.

DECAF

Coffee with the caffeine removed. LR: In reality, there is no naturally-occurring decaffeinated coffee in the world. All coffee is caffeinated. When coffee is decaffeinated, it goes through some sort of process to remove the caffeine. Most places use a chemical process which makes it taste papery and kind of gross. We use a natural sugarcane process to extract the caffeine. It ends up tasting syrupy and caramel-y. It’s actually delicious! People who order decaf in the morning might really love coffee but probably gave up caffeine for health reasons.

CHAI LATTE

Black tea infused cinnamon, clove, and other spices, combined with steamed milk. LR: Our chai latte is two-thirds a concentrate of black tea with a bunch of spices, like star anise, and with one-third steamed milk. Someone asking for a chai latte is looking for something warm and comforting. They’re also usually either a grandma or a young girl. There aren’t a lot of men that order these, for some reason!

DIRTY CHAI

A chai latte mixed with espresso. LR: These people are really trying to blast off. There’s already caffeine in the black tea, and they want two shots of espresso on top of that?! Just have them as separate drinks!

drink with 50 percent steamed milk and 50 percent espresso. It’s still an espresso-forward beverage because you can taste the nuances of the espresso, but it’s warm, sweet and delicious because of the milk. Like espresso drinkers, I would say cortado drinkers are efficient. FUN FACT: Leah recommends drinking espressos and cortados inside the coffee shop instead of to-go. Otherwise, you’re creating waste by using a tiny takeout cup that you’ll finish in minutes!

HOT CHOCOLATE

LR: These people love themselves.

CAFE MIEL

A latte with honey and cinnamon. LR: This was the first sweet drink we put on our menu! Before that, the sweetest drink we had was a latte. We realized we were missing a large part of our demographic by not having a sweet drink available, and if we were going to put one on the menu, it had to be a good one. This is my go-to recommendation for someone who tries ordering a sweet drink we don’t have on our menu, like a caramel macchiato. People who order this want the caffeine but also want something sweet, or they wanted something we didn’t make. FUN FACT: While you can order a cafe miel at almost any coffee shop, MadCap was actually the first place in Grand Rapids to put it on their menu. WLM: Are there any misconceptions about the coffee industry you want to debunk? LR: We consider ourselves a third wave coffee company. First wave coffee is diner coffee. Second wave is the big box establishments like Starbucks, Biggby and Tim Hortons. Third wave coffee is a step further. There’s this misconception that third wave coffee is pretentious, and your barista is arrogant and will look down on you for what you order. At Madcap, all our baristas are friendly and want to help. It’s important for people to understand that we consider coffee a craft. It takes a year for baristas to get their espresso certifications here. There is care and intentionality that goes into what we’re doing, but we’re always happy to answer questions if you need help navigating the menu or want a recommendation from us. WLM: Any advice for women in the service industry? LR: Know your truth, wear your crown, be who you are unapologetically, support other women in your industry and work hard. The world needs more women in the service industry. We provide hospitality in a way that men can’t. Not to say that men don’t offer their own wonderful form of hospitality, but we offer something unique and different, and the world is better for it. I think women are amazing people, so don’t be intimidated. Ladies are bad-ass!

TEA

LR: Usually, they’re meeting someone else or got dragged there for some reason. I will say our tea is delicious though!

CORTADO

Espresso with a small amount of steamed milk. LR: A cortado is essentially a baby latte. It’s a 4-ounce

Sam was born in Chicago, grew up in the Philippines, attended college in Australia and is now living in Grand Rapids. She loves cheese, video games and music, and will quote a movie or TV show every chance she gets.

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Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • May 2019

Learn & Do

HerLegacy

Meet the Women of West Michigan Who Made History

Mabel Balyeat

(1883-1985) Founder of the Kent District Library

arly in the twentieth century, when most of Kent County had no library service, books generally available to rural schoolchildren were owned and loaned by their teachers. But in 1927, Mabel Balyeat led an initial Federation of Women’s Clubs project where area women held “book showers” in an effort to create a county-wide library system. Eventually, women’s clubs were joined by the Kent County Parent-Teachers Council to form the Kent County Library Association, one of only three such county systems in the nation. Unfortunately, the United States was plunged into economic depression just as the association was organized, and funds were short. But in 1934, after hearing a lecturer’s account of funding for recreational programs by the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA), Balyeat envisioned a “new deal for books.” Once she had convinced FERA authorities that reading was in fact recreational and had secured sufficient funding to hire a supervisor and staff for seven libraries, the county needed to establish an official umbrella organization, the Experimental County Library.

Then Balyeat went to work. She spearheaded a program to secure more books from area individuals and organizations, including the Grand Rapids Public Library, and opened the first library site. It consisted of a handful of books displayed on tables constructed from boards and sawhorses. And a library card could be had in trade for eggs. But by 1935, the library association had a collection of 2,500 books and operated 19 library branches in schools, grocery stores, and gasoline stations across the county. Balyeat’s dream of a unified county system was realized in 1936 when the Kent County Board of Supervisors formally established the Kent County Library and appointed her to its fiveperson board of directors. Elected president, she continued to serve until 1946. Mabel Balyeat lived to be 102, and before her death in 1985 she saw the opening of a new central headquarters in 1971 for what is now the Kent District Library.

The Greater Grand Rapids Women’s History Council is dedicated to educating the community and celebrating the legacies of local women, preserving knowledge of their past and inspiring visions for their future. For more information or to get involved, visit ggrwhc.org

Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • May 2019

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Learn & Do

The Real History of Cinco de Mayo and How to Celebrate Respectfully ESSAY BY ALLISON ARNOLD | SIDEBAR BY ELYSE WILD

very year on May 5, countless Americans gather, eager to enjoy the spring weather and drink bottomless margaritas, while donning sombreros and fake accents, and really, for no reason at all. With all of the excitement surrounding Cinco De Mayo, one would think it’s Mexico’s Independence Day, which many do. On May 5, 1862 Mexico took a shocking victory against France in the Battle of Puebla. While a seemingly small battle in the grand scheme of things, the fact that 2,000 untrained men conquered France’s 6,000 well-equipped soldiers, holds significance in what it symbolized. While the Battle of Puebla was critical, the majority of Mexicans don’t celebrate it outside of Puebla. Parades and traditional mariachi music commemorate the victory in the town. If Mexicans don’t widely celebrate Cinco De Mayo, how did it become such an event in the United States? While many Mexican-American

activists engaged in civil rights began to use the underdog victory as a source of pride, it was a 1989 advertising campaign to increase consumption of Corona that propelled Cinco De Mayo into American consumer culture. Today, Cinco De Mayo is an opportunity for businesses to profit off a group of party-goers with mixed intentions. I have no problem with people celebrating my heritage, Mexico’s rich culture and delicacies and the extraordinary contributions it has made to the world, but my advice is to at least know what you’re celebrating. The idea that many Americans don’t know what it is they’re getting intoxicated for lends me to believe it’s not about culture at all, but a chance to socialize and, perhaps for us Northerners, escape our winter hiatus to soak up some well-needed vitamin D. If you want to celebrate Mexico and its culture, be my guest; but I encourage you to celebrate it by supporting an authentic Mexican business and educating your fellow party-goers on the true history of the

day. Wearing traditional Mexican attire or throwing on a sombrero, poncho or fake mustache, is not OK; in fact, you’d be hard pressed to find anyone in Mexico that even fits that stereotypical depiction. Dressing up as a personified cartoon, to many, seemingly causes no implications, however it is a harmful stereotype that furthers negative depictions and ideas, especially amidst the current political climate. Mexico is not just tacos and tequila, and it’s not just headlines and the brunt of ignorance. Mexico is strength and resilience. It’s always a hug, its strangers who become family and its 1,972,550 square kilometers of pure beauty. Just like mole, it’s simple, yet complex. In the end, I don’t care about Cinco De Mayo, drink specials and day parties. I care about my culture. And I care about people knowing the Mexico that I love and the Mexico I call home — because that Mexico is always something to celebrate.

Mission:

•

READ!

One massive goal. One day at a time.

•

• •

3 WAYS TO CELEBRATE CINCO DE MAYO O Visit a Mexican-Owned Eatery West Michigan is full of authentic Mexican restaurants. Visit a taqueria (we recommend Taqueria San Jose, Tacos El Cunado or Taqueria El Rincon Mexico), sitdown restaurant (try El Granjero Mexican Grill, Lindo Mexico or La Huesteca Mexican Restaurant) or pick up some sweet treats, such as conchas, churros or tres leches cake at a number of local Mexican bakeries (visit Tres Hermanos Bakery, Super Cream Bakery or Panaderia Margo.) O Fiesta with LAUP in Holland Each year, during the first weekend in May, the Latin American’s United for Progress (LAUP) throws Fiesta, a celebration of Latin Culture with food, music and dance performances. This year’s celebration takes place from on May 3 and 4 at The Shops at Westshore in Holland. O Drink Tequila — Ethically The very nature of tequila production paired with high-demand and lack of oversight results in overworked and poorly paid jimadors, or Mexican farmer who harvests agave plants (the key ingredient in this world famous spirit) and sell it to factories door-to-door. Look for tequila labeled, “Estate Grown” or “Single Estate,” meaning the agave was grown and harvested on the factory’s land most likely by appropriately compensated jimadors. And, instead of ordering a margarita, try a paloma — a drink with made grapefruit juice or soda and lime juice and enjoyed far more in Mexico than the former.

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Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • May 2019

Learn & Do

Class Mom

READER’S

BY SAMANTHA HODGE Being a mother is one of the most beautiful, complicated choices a woman will ever make. Check out these books about mothers and know, at the end of the day, you are not alone in your journey. Happy Mother’s Day!

I See Life Through Rosé-colored Glasses by Lisa Scottoline and Francesca Serritella This mother-daughter duo recalls hilarious moments they’ve shared throughout their lives together. Both laugh-out-loud funny and touchingly tender, this delightful book is praised for being the ideal beach read.

by Laurie Gelman Jen Dixon accepts the nomination for class mom of her child’s kindergarten class with enthusiasm, but quickly learns the drama behind the scenes of this grade school may be more than she bargained for. Described by readers as “relatable, irreverent and hilarious,” Class Mom will resonate with any mother who feels they don’t fit the mold.

Slay Like a Mother: How to Destroy What’s Holding You Back So You Can Live the Life You Want by Katherine Wintsch Founder and CEO of The Mom Complex, Wintsch is the cheerleader you’ve been looking for. Let her teach you how to be the confident woman and mother you and your family need by identifying the masks you wear, breaking unrealistic expectations and pinpointing the vital difference between suffering and struggling.

Where’d You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple

Stretched Too Thin: How Working Moms Can Lose the Guilt, Work Smarter, and Thrive by Jessica N. Turner Turner guides working moms toward better time management in order to live a more balanced, stress-free life by detailing how to establish clear work boundaries, set achievable goals, develop home management solutions and more.

Bernadette Fox is worn out. She has been trying to fake a perfect Seattle life and has had enough. After ruining a school fundraiser, Bernadette runs away and leaves her daughter behind to pick up the pieces.

Samantha Hodge is a Collection Development Librarian at Kent District Library. She is not a perfect mother to her 4 kids, but she sure loves them.

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Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • May 2019

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Arts & Entertainment:

Event Spotlight

The Grand Rapids Symphony Celebrates Women with Special Concert BY MOYA TOBEY

e have all heard of composers such as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Felix Mendelssohn and Robert Schumann. What few realize is that they weren’t the only ones in their family with an ear for music. Mozart’s own sister, Marianne Mozart, was a composer, but anything she may have written has long since been lost. Mendelssohn’s sister, Fanny Mendelssohn, was also a composer but her works aren’t well known. As for Schumann, his wife, Clara Schumann, was a talented musician unfortunately lost between the lines of history. Not until the 20th century did women begin to receive recognition for their orchestral works. The Grand Rapids Symphony is recognizing these accomplished composers with the 20th/21st Century Concert: Celebrating Women, taking place on Friday, May 3 at 8 pm in the Royse Auditorium at St. Cecilia Music Center and featuring music from female composers Ruth Crawford Seeger, Joan Tower and Anna Clyne and female soloist Ava Ordman. Seeger was a specialist in folk music and composing. She was the first female in history to receive the Guggenheim Fellowship in 1930. Some of her works have a modernist theme and have inspired many important composers. One of her works being performed is, “Rissolty Rossolty.” Likewise, Joan Tower was the first woman to win the Grawemeyer Award in 1990. Today, this award is worth $100,000. Her composition, “Made in America” used snippets from, “America the Beautiful” and won her the 2008 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Classical Composition and two more for Best Orchestral Performance and Best Classical Album. For “Celebrating Women,” the

Grand Rapids Symphony will perform her piece, “Chamber Dane”. Clyne is a British-born composer who is now based in the United States. She won the 2010 Charles Ives Prize from the American Academy of Arts and Letters and the 2016 Hindemith Prize. During the 2015 Grammy Awards, her violin concerto “Prince of Clouds” was nominated for Best Contemporary Classical Composition. The symphony will perform her piece entitled, “Within Her Arms.” In addition to these trailblazing composers, Ava Ordman, the principal trombonist of the Grand Rapids Symphony, will perform a solo at the concert. She is the only woman to hold this title in the brass section of the Grand Rapids Symphony since they began their transition to a fully professional orchestra in the ’70s. Ordman has also given the world premieres of works from Steven Smith’s Concerto for Trombone and Orchestra and Libby Larsen’s “Mary Cassatt.” Tickets can be purchased for $26 at the Grand Rapids Symphony box office or over the phone. Students who are part of the Grand Rapids Symphony Student Tickets program can purchase tickets for $5.

What: 20th/21st Century Concert: Celebrating Women When: May 3, 8-10 p.m. Where: St. Cecilia Music Center, 24 Ransom Ave NE Cost: $26

Join us for a unique and distinctive tour!

Escorted Group Tours

616-214-8313

www.MJTOURSLLC.COM Email: mjtours@hotmail.com

Stratford Festival 66th Season

Come From Away a musical in Chicago

June 26-28

August 14-15

Transportation, Four Meals, 2 nights at BW Plus the Arden Park Hotel. Reserved seats for 3 outstanding plays as listed in the tour brochure.

Transportation, Reserved seats for Come From Away, Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise, 3 Meals, 1 night at Kinzie Hotel downtown Chicago.

$685 pp/dbl occ.

$437 pp/dbl occ

UP North Trails & Waterfalls Women’s Hiking

Gardens Art & History around Philadelphia

June 18-22

September 11-15

Motorcoach transportation, Four nights lodging (3 @ Landmark Inn in Marquette and 1 @ Holiday Inn Exp in Mackinaw City) 10 Meals, Guided hiking one full day, Hikers choice on one day. Pictured Rock Boat Tour, and other attractions.

Transportation, Toledo Museum of Art, Brandywine River Museum (NC Wyeth exhibit), Longwood Gardens (fountain/music show), Museum of the Am. Revolution, Phila Museum of Art, Nat’l Constitution Center, Butler Institute of Art Youngstown. 10 meals.

$870 pp/dbl occ

$925 pp/dbl occ

St.Cecilia Music Center PRESENTS

2019-2020 SEASON

TO BE ANNOUNCED MAY 14 SCMC-ONLINE.ORG

616.459.2224

Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • May 2019

Learn & Do

May Events

Ongoing

A National Treasure: Fred Meijer, His Collection and Legacy. Tour one of the finest sculpture collections in the world. Frederik Meijer Gardens. Meijergardens.org Or Does it Explode Exhibition. Multimedia group exhibition on the documentation of refugees and forced migration. Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts. Uica.org LowellArts Exhibition: Myths/See Us, Hear Us. See original artwork by West Michigan female artists based on fables, mythology, and modern women. LowellArts. Tuesdays-Fridays from 10 am - 6 pm and Saturdays from 10 am - 5 pm.

Mondays

Sunset Yoga. Participate in a mixed level yoga class that will help tighten and tone your entire body. The Hammock. 7 pm. Discoverlowell.org

Tuesdays

Meanwhile Movie. Enjoy a movie night with friends and family. Peter Wege Auditorium. 8 pm. Grcmc.org Cuban Salsa Dance Lessons. Danzon Cubano. 9 pm - 11:30 pm. Facebook. com/Danzoncubano

May 1 and 4

Rain Barrel Workshop. Weesies Brothers Garden Centers and Landscaping. 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm. Wmeac.org

May 1-5

Waitress. DeVos Performance Hall. May 1-2 at 7:30 pm; May 3-4 at 8 pm; May 4 at 2 pm; May 5 at 1 pm and 6:30 pm. Devosperformancehall.com

May 2-5

James and the Giant Peach. Grand Rapids Civic Theatre. May 2-4 at 7:30 pm; May 4-5 at 2 pm. Grct.org

May 2-4, 8-12, 15-18

Freaky Friday. When an overworked mother and her teenage daughter magically swap bodies, they have just one day to put things right again. Circle Theatre. May 2-4, 8-11, 1518 at 7:30 pm; May 12 at 5 pm. Circletheatre.org

May 3-5, 10-11

Alice in Wonderland. Grand Rapids Ballet. May 3-4 and 10-11 at 7:30-9:30 pm; May 5 at 2-4 pm. Grballet.com

May 3-12

Tulip Time Carnival. Holland Civic Center. Tuliptime.com

May 4-5

Spring into the Past. Join in this annual event in which 30 museums will be participating, this year’s theme is “Getting from here to there”. Saturday from 11 am to 5 pm and Sunday from 12 pm to 5 pm. Discoverlowell.org

May 10 - August 18

Breaching the Margins.Exhibition of works by artists who examine ways in which marginalized groups navigate and work against social exclusion. Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts. Uica.org

May 10-12

Grand Rapids Symphony presents Star Wars, Star Trek, Middle Earth, and More. DeVos Performance Hall. May 10-11 at 8 pm. May 12 at 3 pm. Devosperformancehall.com

May 16-19

Cirque du Soleil Presents Crystal. VanAndel Arena. Thursday and Friday at 7:30 pm; Saturday at 4 pm and 7:30 pm; Sunday at 1:30 pm and 5 pm. Vanandelarena.com

May 5

Cinco De Mayo Cocktails. The Downtown Market. 4 - 5:30 pm. Downtownmarketgr.com 2019 Walk for Autism. John Ball Zoo. 12 pm - 3 pm. Facebook.com/AutismSupport-of-Kent-County-Inc

May 6

Run the World: 80 Years of Girl Groups. Explore the history of girl groups all the way back to the 1930s. Circle Theatre. 7 pm. Circletheatre.org

May 7

Annual Student Exhibition Opening Reception. Kendall College of Art and Design. Kcad.edu Free Community Skin Cancer Screening. Spectrum Health. 5:30 pm - 7 pm. Facebook.com/spectrumhealth Rad Women Happy Hour with Author Kate Schatz. The Pyramid Scheme. 4 pm - 6 pm. Facebook.com/ ThePyramidScheme

Compiled by editorial staff. We do our best to ensure the accuracy of each listing. Time, date and location of events are subject to change.

May 8

Collections and Cocktails. Support the GRPM’s Magnificent Machines and Amusements. Grand Rapids Public Museum. 6 pm - 9 pm. Grpm.org Start Smart. Grand Rapids Opportunities for Women. 6 pm - 9 pm. Grow.nonprofitsoapbox.com Cher: Here We Go Again Tour. VanAndel Arena. 7:30 pm. Vanandelarena.com WISE Women and Wine Inspire Creativity. Lear, step-by-step how to create your own masterpiece. Wine and Canvas. 5:30 pm. Wiseconnections.org Lesser Known Grand Rapids Landmarks. Explore the lesser known Grand Rapids landmarks. 7:30 pm 8:30 pm. Grhistory.org

May 9

Treat Yo’ Self Ladies Night Out. Come out and support Senior Sing A-Long’s life-changing music programming and music therapy for seniors. Lions and Rabbits. 5 pm - 8 pm. Eventbrite.com

May 17-18

Grand Rapids Symphony presents Chopin and Brahms: Mother’s Day with Maestro. DeVos Performance Hall. 8 pm. Devosperformancehall.com

May 18 and 19

Annual Heritage Hill Weekend Tour of Homes. Heritage Hill Association. 5 pm. Heritagehillweb.org The 1st Annual Kite Festival. Grand Haven State Park. Facebook.com/ KiteFestatGH

May 3

The 20/21st Century Concert: Celebrating Women. St. Cecilia Music Center. 10 am - 11 am and 8 pm - 10 pm. Grsymphony.org

May 4

Opening day of Fulton Street Farmers Market. 8 am - 2 pm. Fultonstreetmarket.org Gala: Beyond the Frame. Grand Rapids Art Museum. 6 pm. Artmuseumgr.org Boutiques of West Michigan. DeVos Place Convention Center. 6 pm - 10 pm. Devosplace.org

Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • May 2019

“THE PURE SPIES” BY MANAR BILAL FROM THE “OR DOES IT EXPLODE” EXHIBITION ON DISPLAY NOW AT THE UICA

May 10

May 20

Wish Ball - West Michigan. DeVos Place. 6 pm - 10 pm. Facebook.com/ makeawishmi

May 21

Family Paddle Night. Riverside Park. 5 pm - 8:30 pm. Facebook.com/ GRParksandRec

May 11

Amway River Bank RunDowntown Grand Rapids. 7:30 am - 2 pm. Facebook.com/FoundationMerakey

May 13

21st Century Broadway: Modern Musicals. Experience the music from award winning shows like “Hamilton”, “Kinky Boots,” and “Waitress”. Circle Theatre. 7 pm. Drag Take Over. Join the LGBTQ+ community to help out a local charity that has given back in a huge way. Grand Rapids Public Museum. 7 pm 9 pm. Grpm.org

May 14

Health Care Summit. Watermark Country Club. 7:30 am - 11:30 am. Grandrapids.org Stormwater Solutions - Rain Barrel Workshop. Metro Health Conference Center. 6 pm - 8 pm. Wmeac.org

May 18

Artist Talk: Maya Lin on Art and Environment. Join Maya Lin as she discusses her current exhibition Flow. Grand Rapids Art Museum. 6 pm - 7 pm. Artmuseumgr.org

May 18

Spring Photography: Capturing the Season. Learn about the joys of Spring photography with photographer Dianne Carroll Burdick. Frederik Meijer Gardens. 10 am - 1 pm. Meijergardens.org Roll’N Out Food Truck Festival. Heartside Park. 11 am - 8 pm. Experiencegr.com West Michigan HipHop Summit. Learn from some of the most influential forces in the modern music industry. 6 pm. hiphopappreciationweek.com

Creativity Takes Courage 2019 Luncheon. Prince Conference Center. 11:30 am - 1 pm. Artistscreatingtogether.org

Event Spotlight

Crazy Horse: The Lakota Warrior’s Life and Legacy. Hear the true story of Crazy Horse from his direct descendants. Grand Rapids Public Library. 7 pm - 8:30 pm. Grpl.org

May 22

Community Services Healthy Living Expo and Lecture Series. Forest Hills Fine Arts Center. 11 am - 3 pm. Fhfineartscenter.com

May 23

An Evening with Neil deGrasse Tyson. DeVos Performance Hall. 7:30 pm. Devosperformanceartshall.com Off the Wall.Experience the sights and sounds as artists disregard the conventions of performing arts, reveal original works, and experiment with new material in The Galleries at Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts. 7 pm - 9 pm. Uica.org

May 27

Memorial Day Parade. Downtown Holland. 9:30 pm. Downtownholland.com

May 30

Lakeshore Fork Fest. Travel from booth to booth as you try mouthwatering dishes and meet the chef behind them. Warehouse 6. 6:30 pm 9 pm. Localfirst.com

May 31

Newsies. Grand Rapids Civic Theatre. 7:30 pm. Grct.org

For more event listings,visit womenslifestyle.com.

COME AND SEE

WHAT’S NEW KIDS’ GIFTS TOYS, GAMES AND MORE! • Unique kids’ books • Baby shower/ birthday gifts • Lots of locally made items FOLLOW US >>

909 Cherry St. SE Grand Rapids, MI 49506 hopscotchstore.com • 616.233.4008

Arts & Entertainment:

Ele’s Place Healing Hearts Breakfast BY MOYA TOBEY

inding a place of healing is vital when you’re grieving, especially for children. It can be difficult to understand the emotions you’re feeling, and learning how to work through them is important. That’s where Ele’s Place comes in: They come alongside grieving children and their families, helping them process a loss with which they are struggling. In 2018, they impacted 155 children, 99 adults and 93 families. Ele’s Place was founded in 1991 by mental health professionals, community members and grieving parents Betsy and Woody Stover. After the death of their elevenmonth-old daughter, Helen Louise Snow Stover, better known as Ele, the Stover’s realized their three other children weren’t grieving in the same manner as the adults in the family were. A great deal of research ensued, which led them to conclude a children’s grief center was necessary for Michigan. Almost 30 years later, there are four branches of Ele’s Place across the state, and they continue to move forward in their mission of creating awareness and support for grieving children and their families. Each year, Ele’s Place hosts the Healing Hearts Breakfast to raise funds to continue this important work. This year’s breakfast will take place on May 29 from 7:30 — 9 a.m. at Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park. Sponsoring businesses

include the Meijer Foundation, Fifth Third Bank, 616 Media and BDO. There is no cost to attend, but donations are encouraged. Attendees can expect to have a complimentary breakfast followed by personal stories from families impacted by Ele’s Place.

“This breakfast is why I got involved in Ele’s Place as a volunteer a couple of years ago,” Jaime Counterman, director of Ele’s Place West Michigan, said. Not only do the donations and support help Ele’s Place, it tells those who are grieving that their city sees they are hurting and want to help in any way they can. Take that opportunity to lend support by saving your seat at elesplace.org.

What: Ele’s Place Healing Hearts Breakfast When: May 29, 7:30 — 9 a.m. Where: Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park,1000 E Beltline Ave NE Cost: Free

Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • May 2019

Arts & Entertainment:

Event Spotlight

CHARLEVOIX August 10, 2019 (Saturday)

Your Tour Includes:

• Transportation via deluxe highway motorcoach

• Two meals: Breakfast snacks & coffee, and a delectable luncheon on the grounds of Castle Farms • A guided tour of Castle Farms, Northern Michigan’s very own fairy tale castle; with cobblestone courtyards, soaring stone towers, and magnificent gardens

• Enjoy the celebration of beauty at the Waterfront Art Fair, with time for shopping downtown

Rad American Women A—Z BY MOYA TOBEY | PHOTO BY ELYSE WILD

ions and Rabbits art gallery is partnering with the City of Grand Rapids, along with many others, to create a widespread art project on the mechanical boxes of Downtown Grand Rapids. Twenty-seven female artists will be paid to create these beautiful works of art commemorating influential American women. This project is inspired by “Rad American Women A-Z,” a book written by Kate Schatz and illustrated by Miriam Klein Stahl. The book is a New York Times bestseller and contains a list of great American women in alphabetical order. Some of those women include Angela Davis, a political activist; Billi Jean King, the former number 1 world tennis player; and Carol Burnett, a trailblazer in comedy. In a recent press release, Kin Van Driel, the Director of Public Space Management at Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. (DGRI), said, “We’ll also paint these inspiring female role models all over Downtown and promote the fact idea-particularly for the young women all across our community — being smart and strong and brave is rad.”

than just public artwork. We will create all these places and moments across our Downtown that celebrate women, bring women together and educate our community about America’s rich legacy of women leadership. This is humbling work for our entire project team, and we can’t wait to get started.”

• A fascinating guided tour through Charlevoix, past the stunning renowned Earl Young “Mushroom Houses”, past the Victorian summer resort, across the famous drawbridge, and into the heart of the bustling community • Tax and tips for all inclusions (driver’s tip appreciated)

rice: n P r u Yo perso r e p 0 159.0

• Services of a Countryside Tour Director

Call our office for a detailed brochure or sign up online!

616.636.4628 | www.countrysidetours.net |PO Box 48, Sand Lake, MI 49343

The project has been in the works since October and painting finally began on April 4. Upon completion on May 1, DGRI plans to promote walking tours of the masterpieces. Tours will be available through partnerships with Grand Rapids Running Tours and GR Walks. On May 7, Lions and Rabbits and DGRI will host Schatz at the Pyramid Scheme for Rad Women Happy Hour, where the public will get the chance to meet the her. On May 8, Schatz will be at the Grand Rapids Public Library from 6- 7:30 pm for Rad Kids, a special event in which she will lead art activities for little ones. Both events are free to the public.

Partnering on the project, DGRI and Lions and Rabbits have called on local artists to support the project. Those who participate will be paired with one of the 26 women from the book to create an original portrait of the “rad” woman. These portraits will be found on mechanical boxes in various places downtown, giving the typically unappealing fixtures a colorful social justice purpose. Founder and Creative Director of Lions and Rabbits Hannah Berry stated in a press release, “This is so much more

Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • May 2019

What: Rad Women Happy Hour with Author Kate Schatz When: May 7, 4-6 pm Where: The Pyramid Scheme, 68 Commerce Ave SW Cost: FREE What:Rad Kids with Author Kate Schatz When: May 8, 6- 7:30 pm Where: Grand Rapids Public Library, 111 Library St NE Cost: FREE

Impact. When you become a Laker, you look outward, focusing on others instead of yourself. With professors’ caring guidance, you learn how to make a meaningful, lasting difference. Then, as you enter the world, you’re good to go forward, tackle challenges, and make meaningful contributions. Like West Michigan itself, your positive impact will be far reaching. That’s the Laker Effect. And we can’t wait for you to become part of it.

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GOOD BUSINESS MATTERS Be a part of the growing number of companies who are dedicated to positive social and environmental change.

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Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • May 2019

See more photos at womenslifestyle.com/party-pics Grand Rapids Community College • 21st Annual Salute to Women • Tuesday, March 26th, 2019 • GRCC Wisner-Bottrall Applied Technology Center Banquet Rooms • Photos by Two Eagles Marcus

West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce • Annual Awards Gala • Tuesday, March 26th, 2019 • JW Marriott • Photos by Two Eagles Marcus

Submit your event coverage request at womenslifestyle.com/photos Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • May 2019

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SHOPPING & RETAIL

n Art of the Table n Better Way Designs n Bill & Paul’s Sporthaus n Family Sewing n Frames Unlimited n Gazelle Sports n Iris Boutique n Rylee’s Ace Hardware n Spirit Dreams n Shakedown Street n Stonesthrow n Supermercado Mexico n Switchback Gear Exchange n The Shade Shop n Two Dutch Hens

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