An aerial view of the six-acre interdunal wetland, a critical habitat unique to Lake Michigan’s coastal dune ecosystem. This area was populated with native plants and woody debris to create an oasis for wildlife.
Photo courtesy GEI Consultants
Universally accessible kayak launch along a bay area of the Grand River at Ottawa Sands. Outdoor educators from Ottawa County Parks utilized this launch during a public program called “Colors by Kayak”.
Photo courtesy Ottawa County Parks
Photo courtesy Ottawa County Parks
The Michigan Recreation and Park Association (mParks), an organization dedicated to the advancement of public spaces, recreation and natural resources, has announced that the Ottawa County Parks and Recreation Commission was awarded a 2025 Park Design award for Ottawa Sands County Park in Ferrysburg.
Park Design projects typically contain landscape and facility components, such as splash pads, playgrounds, trails, and linear parks.
The award application included a narrative describing the park’s natural features and access improvements, such as the universally accessible kayak launch, the 1.6-mile paved "Lake Loop" path, modern day-use restroom and parking area, interdunal wetlands, and more.
“Ottawa Sands is a testament to the importance of creating expansive, accessible, and biodiverse spaces for current and future generations,” OCPRC Director Jason Shamblin said. “We’re honored to see this vision celebrated and proud to share this accomplishment with everyone who made it possible.”
The 345-acre Ottawa Sands Park is located within a 2,479-acre corridor of interconnected dune lands. The site had long been used for sand mining. Ecological enhancements and access improvements were completed at the site last year. The property features forested dunes, an 80-acre inland lake, interdunal wetlands and riverfront land with wetlands.
The Park Design Award will be presented to Ottawa County Parks staff on Tuesday, March 4 at the mParks Conference and Trade Show in Traverse City.
Park Design projects typically contain landscape and facility components, such as splash pads, playgrounds, trails, and linear parks.
The award application included a narrative describing the park’s natural features and access improvements, such as the universally accessible kayak launch, the 1.6-mile paved "Lake Loop" path, modern day-use restroom and parking area, interdunal wetlands, and more.
“Ottawa Sands is a testament to the importance of creating expansive, accessible, and biodiverse spaces for current and future generations,” OCPRC Director Jason Shamblin said. “We’re honored to see this vision celebrated and proud to share this accomplishment with everyone who made it possible.”
The 345-acre Ottawa Sands Park is located within a 2,479-acre corridor of interconnected dune lands. The site had long been used for sand mining. Ecological enhancements and access improvements were completed at the site last year. The property features forested dunes, an 80-acre inland lake, interdunal wetlands and riverfront land with wetlands.
The Park Design Award will be presented to Ottawa County Parks staff on Tuesday, March 4 at the mParks Conference and Trade Show in Traverse City.
OAISD Honors Board Members
The Ottawa Area Intermediate School District is this month honoring the work of its board members, two of whom are from Zeeland.
OAISD joins 537 local and 55 other intermediate school districts across Michigan to celebrate January as School Board Recognition Month. The district recognizes its board members and their efforts to equitably support students and exceptional education programs for all learners in Ottawa and parts of Allegan counties.
“Our board embraces our vision of a future where every learner has access to the education they need to achieve their potential,” OAISD Superintendent Kyle Mayer said. “We are grateful for their support that allows us to serve more learners and build a stronger community.”
Mayer also shared that OAISD and all school board members volunteer their time whether they are in the boardroom or attending classes to develop new skills and stay up to date on educational issues.
“Our entire team appreciates and values the supportive, trusting and committed culture fostered by our board which enables us to make a meaningful impact on learners of all ages within the OAISD,” Mayer said.
To support and advance student success, OAISD board members volunteer their time to focus on many educational needs. Some of these include creating a vision that meets the aspirations of parents and community members for the future of their school district, accounting for the decision outcomes, monitoring progress and communicating results, aligning the use of the district’s human and financial resources, and fostering a safe and orderly environment where students can learn and teachers can teach.
OAISD board members are:
• Randy Schipper, President, of Holland (eight years of service)
• Rick Dernberger, Vice President, of Zeeland (six years of service)
• Carol Slagh, Treasurer, of Zeeland (21 years of service)
• Robyn Afrik, Secretary, of Holland (four years of service)
• Marc Eickholt, Trustee, of Grand Haven (two years of service)
Ottawa Area ISD works collaboratively with schools and communities to meet the educational needs of students of all ages in the Ottawa area. By pooling resources and providing services regionally, OAISD provides important programs and services to local K-12 school districts, charter, parochial and private schools and adults in the most cost-effective ways possible. To learn more about Ottawa Area ISD visit oaisd.org.
OAISD joins 537 local and 55 other intermediate school districts across Michigan to celebrate January as School Board Recognition Month. The district recognizes its board members and their efforts to equitably support students and exceptional education programs for all learners in Ottawa and parts of Allegan counties.
“Our board embraces our vision of a future where every learner has access to the education they need to achieve their potential,” OAISD Superintendent Kyle Mayer said. “We are grateful for their support that allows us to serve more learners and build a stronger community.”
Mayer also shared that OAISD and all school board members volunteer their time whether they are in the boardroom or attending classes to develop new skills and stay up to date on educational issues.
“Our entire team appreciates and values the supportive, trusting and committed culture fostered by our board which enables us to make a meaningful impact on learners of all ages within the OAISD,” Mayer said.
To support and advance student success, OAISD board members volunteer their time to focus on many educational needs. Some of these include creating a vision that meets the aspirations of parents and community members for the future of their school district, accounting for the decision outcomes, monitoring progress and communicating results, aligning the use of the district’s human and financial resources, and fostering a safe and orderly environment where students can learn and teachers can teach.
OAISD board members are:
• Randy Schipper, President, of Holland (eight years of service)
• Rick Dernberger, Vice President, of Zeeland (six years of service)
• Carol Slagh, Treasurer, of Zeeland (21 years of service)
• Robyn Afrik, Secretary, of Holland (four years of service)
• Marc Eickholt, Trustee, of Grand Haven (two years of service)
Ottawa Area ISD works collaboratively with schools and communities to meet the educational needs of students of all ages in the Ottawa area. By pooling resources and providing services regionally, OAISD provides important programs and services to local K-12 school districts, charter, parochial and private schools and adults in the most cost-effective ways possible. To learn more about Ottawa Area ISD visit oaisd.org.
250 Students to be Highlighted at Hope Musical Showcase
The 36th annual Hope College Musical Showcase will be presented at 7 p.m. Friday night in the Concert Hall of the Jack H. Miller Center for Musical Arts.
Hope College students take the stage for this fast-paced, musical spectacular, during which audience members hear everything from art songs to jazz. The hardest part for those attending is containing their enthusiasm, at least at first. In the tradition of the quick-moving musical event, audience members are asked to hold their applause until the end of the performance.
The concert features more than 250 Hope students performing in the Department of Music’s major instrumental and vocal ensembles; and soloists, who won a competition in November 2024.
Vocal performances include senior Maicee Bishop of Kalamazoo singing “Alto’s Lament,” by Zina Goldrichs; junior Jackson Hagood of Holland singing “Mondnacht,” by Robert Schumann; and freshman Sophia Mazur-Batistoni of Lapeer singing “I’m Still Hurting,” by Jason Robert Brown. The singers will be accompanied by collaborative pianists Christina Giuca Krause and Minggu Yao.
The program continues with a piano solo by freshman Jonathan Chia from Malaysia, “The Cat and the Mouse,” by Aaron Copland; and an alto saxophone solo by sophomore Benjamin Gilpin from Byron Center, “Improvisation et Caprice,” by Eugène Bozza.
Organ solos include senior Caitlyn Brown of Kalamazoo playing “Fugue in G Minor,” by J.S. Bach; senior Austin Becksvoort of Holland playing “Toccata” from Suite Gothique, Op. 25, by Léon Boëllmann; and sophomore Samuel Shuler of Holt playing “Toccata in D Minor,” by Max Reger.
The featured large vocal ensembles include the Chapel Choir, conducted by Eric Reyes, singing “Sanctus and Benedictus from Missa Brevis,” by Giovanni Palestrina; VERITAS, conducted by Reyes, singing “Tuba/Namhla Kudibene,” arranged by Michael Barrett; and SPERA, conducted by Pamela Pierson, singing “Wie lieblich sind deine Wohnungen,” by Josef Rheinberger. SPERA will be accompanied by collaborative pianist Allison Shinnick Keep.
The featured instrumental ensembles include the Concert Band, conducted by Anand Raj Sukumaran, playing “March from Second Suite in F Major,” by Gustav Holst; the Orchestra, conducted by Samuel Pang, playing “Finale from Symphony No. 3,” by Camille Saint-Saëns; and the Jazz Arts Collective, conducted by Robert Shipley, playing “Oclupaca,” by Duke Ellington.
Tickets are $15 for regular admission, $10 for senior citizens and Hope faculty and staff, free for Hope College students and children 18 and under. Tickets are available at the ticket office in the Events and Conferences Office located in downtown Holland in the Anderson-Werkman Financial Center, 100 E. Eighth St. The ticket office is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and can be called at 616-395-7890. Tickets are also available online at hope.edu/tickets.
The Jack H. Miller Center for Musical Arts is located at 221 Columbia Ave., between Ninth and 10th streets.
Hope College students take the stage for this fast-paced, musical spectacular, during which audience members hear everything from art songs to jazz. The hardest part for those attending is containing their enthusiasm, at least at first. In the tradition of the quick-moving musical event, audience members are asked to hold their applause until the end of the performance.
The concert features more than 250 Hope students performing in the Department of Music’s major instrumental and vocal ensembles; and soloists, who won a competition in November 2024.
Vocal performances include senior Maicee Bishop of Kalamazoo singing “Alto’s Lament,” by Zina Goldrichs; junior Jackson Hagood of Holland singing “Mondnacht,” by Robert Schumann; and freshman Sophia Mazur-Batistoni of Lapeer singing “I’m Still Hurting,” by Jason Robert Brown. The singers will be accompanied by collaborative pianists Christina Giuca Krause and Minggu Yao.
The program continues with a piano solo by freshman Jonathan Chia from Malaysia, “The Cat and the Mouse,” by Aaron Copland; and an alto saxophone solo by sophomore Benjamin Gilpin from Byron Center, “Improvisation et Caprice,” by Eugène Bozza.
Organ solos include senior Caitlyn Brown of Kalamazoo playing “Fugue in G Minor,” by J.S. Bach; senior Austin Becksvoort of Holland playing “Toccata” from Suite Gothique, Op. 25, by Léon Boëllmann; and sophomore Samuel Shuler of Holt playing “Toccata in D Minor,” by Max Reger.
The featured large vocal ensembles include the Chapel Choir, conducted by Eric Reyes, singing “Sanctus and Benedictus from Missa Brevis,” by Giovanni Palestrina; VERITAS, conducted by Reyes, singing “Tuba/Namhla Kudibene,” arranged by Michael Barrett; and SPERA, conducted by Pamela Pierson, singing “Wie lieblich sind deine Wohnungen,” by Josef Rheinberger. SPERA will be accompanied by collaborative pianist Allison Shinnick Keep.
The featured instrumental ensembles include the Concert Band, conducted by Anand Raj Sukumaran, playing “March from Second Suite in F Major,” by Gustav Holst; the Orchestra, conducted by Samuel Pang, playing “Finale from Symphony No. 3,” by Camille Saint-Saëns; and the Jazz Arts Collective, conducted by Robert Shipley, playing “Oclupaca,” by Duke Ellington.
Tickets are $15 for regular admission, $10 for senior citizens and Hope faculty and staff, free for Hope College students and children 18 and under. Tickets are available at the ticket office in the Events and Conferences Office located in downtown Holland in the Anderson-Werkman Financial Center, 100 E. Eighth St. The ticket office is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and can be called at 616-395-7890. Tickets are also available online at hope.edu/tickets.
The Jack H. Miller Center for Musical Arts is located at 221 Columbia Ave., between Ninth and 10th streets.
Dean's List
Killilea, Major Named to Cedarville Dean’s List
Dylan Killilea and John Major of Zeeland have been named to the Dean’s Honor List for the fall 2024 semester at Cedarville University.
This recognition requires the student to obtain a 3.75 grade point average or higher for the semester and carry a minimum of 12 credit hours.
Cedarville University, a Baptist institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate residential and online programs across arts, sciences, and professional fields. With 6,384 students, it ranks among Ohio's largest private universities and is recognized by the Wall Street Journal as being among the nation's top three evangelical universities.
Dylan Killilea and John Major of Zeeland have been named to the Dean’s Honor List for the fall 2024 semester at Cedarville University.
This recognition requires the student to obtain a 3.75 grade point average or higher for the semester and carry a minimum of 12 credit hours.
Cedarville University, a Baptist institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate residential and online programs across arts, sciences, and professional fields. With 6,384 students, it ranks among Ohio's largest private universities and is recognized by the Wall Street Journal as being among the nation's top three evangelical universities.
Gibson named to Dean’s List at Samford
Mary Gibson of Zeeland has been named to the Dean’s List at Samford University in Birmingham, Ala. for the fall 2024 semester.
To qualify for the dean's list, a student must have earned a minimum 3.5 grade point average out of a possible 4.0 while attempting at least 12 credit hours of coursework. The Dean's List is the highest academic recognition given by the school at the end of each semester.
Gibson is a graduate of Jenison High School, majoring in neuroscience.
Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. The Wall Street Journal ranks Samford No. 2 in the nation for character development, No. 8 for quality of career preparation and No. 10 among most recommended colleges.
Caden Meyer of Zeeland has been named to the Dean's List at Jacksonville State (Ala.) University for their outstanding academic performance over the fall 2024 semester.
To be named to the Dean's List, students must earn a 3.5-3.99 grade point average for the semester while completing at least 12 GPA hours of course credit.
Founded in 1883 as a state teachers college, Jacksonville State University has grown from humble beginnings into the Alabama regional university with the highest percentage of accredited programs. Located in the Appalachian foothills midway between Birmingham and Atlanta, Jax State offers more than 150 courses of study, including over 40 online programs, at the undergraduate and graduate level.
To qualify for the dean's list, a student must have earned a minimum 3.5 grade point average out of a possible 4.0 while attempting at least 12 credit hours of coursework. The Dean's List is the highest academic recognition given by the school at the end of each semester.
Gibson is a graduate of Jenison High School, majoring in neuroscience.
Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. The Wall Street Journal ranks Samford No. 2 in the nation for character development, No. 8 for quality of career preparation and No. 10 among most recommended colleges.
Meyer Named to Dean’s List at Jacksonville State
Caden Meyer of Zeeland has been named to the Dean's List at Jacksonville State (Ala.) University for their outstanding academic performance over the fall 2024 semester.
To be named to the Dean's List, students must earn a 3.5-3.99 grade point average for the semester while completing at least 12 GPA hours of course credit.
Founded in 1883 as a state teachers college, Jacksonville State University has grown from humble beginnings into the Alabama regional university with the highest percentage of accredited programs. Located in the Appalachian foothills midway between Birmingham and Atlanta, Jax State offers more than 150 courses of study, including over 40 online programs, at the undergraduate and graduate level.
