City of Zeeland Cemetery Parks Supervisor Mike Bronkhorst (left) and Assistant Supervisor Pete Rollenhagen plant a red maple spruce tree at Zeeland Cemetery’s Lincoln Street location during last Friday’s Arbor Day ceremony, as students from Lincoln Elementary School’s fifth-grade Spanish immersion class look on.
Photo by Greg Chandler
By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
For more than 30 years, the city of Zeeland has observed Arbor Day with a tree-planting ceremony.
The tradition continued last Friday as students from Lincoln Elementary School joined city officials in planting a red maple spruce tree at Zeeland Cemetery on Lincoln Street.
“Trees add the soft touch of nature to our busy lives, they cool our cities, fight pollution, conserve energy, give wildlife a home and make our neighborhoods more livable,” Councilman Richard Van Dorp read from the city’s proclamation during the ceremony. “Trees, wherever they are planted, are a source of joy and spiritual renewal for God's divine plan for the community.”
Van Dorp filled in for Mayor Kevin Klynstra, who usually presides over the ceremony but was unable to attend last Friday.
Students from Josh Scott’s fifth-grade Spanish immersion class at Lincoln took turns filling in the dirt after city Cemetery Parks Supervisor Mike Bronkhorst and Assistant Supervisor Pete Rollenhagen planted the tree.
The city has a tree ordinance that requires an annual Arbor Day planting ceremony.
Meanwhile, a few miles east of the cemetery, Corewell Health Zeeland Hospital distributed hundreds of tree seedlings to patients and hospital employees as part of the hospital’s commitment to the role that trees play in human health. The Zeeland hospital has earned a Tree Campus Healthcare designation from the national Arbor Day Foundation for the first time, hospital spokeswoman Alexis Bolo Neal said.
Corewell Health Zeeland is one of four Corewell locations to receive this award for their dedication and understanding of the vital role trees play in human health. Corewell is the only health system in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula to be named a Tree Campus Healthcare institution by the Arbor Day Foundation.
“This recognition highlights the hard work and dedication of our teams in understanding and implementing the positive impact of nature on overall health,” Corewell Facilities Operations Director Greg Cole said. “By bringing elements of nature, such as trees, into and around our hospitals, we are creating more positive and supportive environments for our patients, team members and guests.”
Corewell Health hospitals were able to qualify for the Tree Campus Healthcare designation by meeting specific standards, including maintaining tree advisory committees, developing and implementing facility tree care plans, completing community forestry projects and educating communities about the importance of trees.
Numerous research studies, like those shared by the National Library of Medicine and the American Journal of Preventative Medicine, have demonstrated the benefits of trees and other plants for human health, including a reduction in stress, improved cardiovascular function and faster recovery times.??
Arbor Day was established in 1872 when J. Sterling Morton, a native of Detroit, proposed to the Nebraska Board of Agriculture that a special day be set aside for the planting of trees. Morton’s efforts led to the planting of more than a million trees in Nebraska, and soon his idea spread to neighboring states.
Zeeland Record
For more than 30 years, the city of Zeeland has observed Arbor Day with a tree-planting ceremony.
The tradition continued last Friday as students from Lincoln Elementary School joined city officials in planting a red maple spruce tree at Zeeland Cemetery on Lincoln Street.
“Trees add the soft touch of nature to our busy lives, they cool our cities, fight pollution, conserve energy, give wildlife a home and make our neighborhoods more livable,” Councilman Richard Van Dorp read from the city’s proclamation during the ceremony. “Trees, wherever they are planted, are a source of joy and spiritual renewal for God's divine plan for the community.”
Van Dorp filled in for Mayor Kevin Klynstra, who usually presides over the ceremony but was unable to attend last Friday.
Students from Josh Scott’s fifth-grade Spanish immersion class at Lincoln took turns filling in the dirt after city Cemetery Parks Supervisor Mike Bronkhorst and Assistant Supervisor Pete Rollenhagen planted the tree.
The city has a tree ordinance that requires an annual Arbor Day planting ceremony.
Meanwhile, a few miles east of the cemetery, Corewell Health Zeeland Hospital distributed hundreds of tree seedlings to patients and hospital employees as part of the hospital’s commitment to the role that trees play in human health. The Zeeland hospital has earned a Tree Campus Healthcare designation from the national Arbor Day Foundation for the first time, hospital spokeswoman Alexis Bolo Neal said.
Corewell Health Zeeland is one of four Corewell locations to receive this award for their dedication and understanding of the vital role trees play in human health. Corewell is the only health system in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula to be named a Tree Campus Healthcare institution by the Arbor Day Foundation.
“This recognition highlights the hard work and dedication of our teams in understanding and implementing the positive impact of nature on overall health,” Corewell Facilities Operations Director Greg Cole said. “By bringing elements of nature, such as trees, into and around our hospitals, we are creating more positive and supportive environments for our patients, team members and guests.”
Corewell Health hospitals were able to qualify for the Tree Campus Healthcare designation by meeting specific standards, including maintaining tree advisory committees, developing and implementing facility tree care plans, completing community forestry projects and educating communities about the importance of trees.
Numerous research studies, like those shared by the National Library of Medicine and the American Journal of Preventative Medicine, have demonstrated the benefits of trees and other plants for human health, including a reduction in stress, improved cardiovascular function and faster recovery times.??
Arbor Day was established in 1872 when J. Sterling Morton, a native of Detroit, proposed to the Nebraska Board of Agriculture that a special day be set aside for the planting of trees. Morton’s efforts led to the planting of more than a million trees in Nebraska, and soon his idea spread to neighboring states.
Hope Commencement Planned Sunday
Baccalaureate and commencement for Hope College’s Class of 2025 are scheduled for this Sunday.
Commencement will take place at 3 p.m. at Ray and Sue Smith Stadium, and baccalaureate will take place at 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. in Dimnent Memorial Chapel.
Approximately 730 graduating seniors, including 14 from Zeeland, will be participating.
Also, during the commencement ceremony, Hope will present an honorary degree, the Doctorate of Humane Letters (LHD), to emeritus professor John Yelding.
Yelding, who retired in 2019 as the Susan M. and Glenn G. Cherup Associate Professor of Education and department chair, joined the Hope faculty in 1994 after serving as a teacher and administrator in K-12 education for 25 years.
The commencement speaker will be Dr. Lauren Hearit, assistant professor of management. The baccalaureate preacher will be the Rev. Dr. Nathan Hart, who is the Hinga-Boersma Dean of the Chapel.
Hearit has been a member of the Hope faculty since 2017. Her courses include Marketing Management, Management Perspectives and Theory, Senior Seminar and Management Seminar.
Her research focuses on the intersection of economics, strategic communication and organizational communication. She is interested in how economic and political actors shape perceptions about the performance of the economy.
Hearit graduated from Western Michigan University in 2012 with majors in public policy and French, and is a member of Phi Beta Kappa. She completed a master’s degree in public affairs and issue management at Purdue University in 2014, and a doctorate in organizational communication at Purdue in 2018. She also holds a certificate in international strategic communication, completed in 2015, from Copenhagen Business School.
Hart, who is a 2001 Hope graduate, returned to the college as the Hinga-Boersma Dean of the Chapel last July. He serves as Hope’s campus pastor and spiritual leader, working with the college president as a member of the Hope Leadership Team, and leads the Campus Ministries program and staff.
Hart majored in religion and communication at Hope, and subsequently completed a Master of Divinity degree at Princeton Theological Seminary, where he received the Jagow Award in Homiletics, and a Doctorate of Ministry from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Boston, Massachusetts. He was a member of the Hope College Board of Trustees from 2017 until 2024.
In the event of rain, Commencement will be held at the Richard and Helen DeVos Fieldhouse. Tickets are not required for baccalaureate, and will only be required for commencement if held indoors.
Commencement will take place at 3 p.m. at Ray and Sue Smith Stadium, and baccalaureate will take place at 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. in Dimnent Memorial Chapel.
Approximately 730 graduating seniors, including 14 from Zeeland, will be participating.
Also, during the commencement ceremony, Hope will present an honorary degree, the Doctorate of Humane Letters (LHD), to emeritus professor John Yelding.
Yelding, who retired in 2019 as the Susan M. and Glenn G. Cherup Associate Professor of Education and department chair, joined the Hope faculty in 1994 after serving as a teacher and administrator in K-12 education for 25 years.
The commencement speaker will be Dr. Lauren Hearit, assistant professor of management. The baccalaureate preacher will be the Rev. Dr. Nathan Hart, who is the Hinga-Boersma Dean of the Chapel.
Hearit has been a member of the Hope faculty since 2017. Her courses include Marketing Management, Management Perspectives and Theory, Senior Seminar and Management Seminar.
Her research focuses on the intersection of economics, strategic communication and organizational communication. She is interested in how economic and political actors shape perceptions about the performance of the economy.
Hearit graduated from Western Michigan University in 2012 with majors in public policy and French, and is a member of Phi Beta Kappa. She completed a master’s degree in public affairs and issue management at Purdue University in 2014, and a doctorate in organizational communication at Purdue in 2018. She also holds a certificate in international strategic communication, completed in 2015, from Copenhagen Business School.
Hart, who is a 2001 Hope graduate, returned to the college as the Hinga-Boersma Dean of the Chapel last July. He serves as Hope’s campus pastor and spiritual leader, working with the college president as a member of the Hope Leadership Team, and leads the Campus Ministries program and staff.
Hart majored in religion and communication at Hope, and subsequently completed a Master of Divinity degree at Princeton Theological Seminary, where he received the Jagow Award in Homiletics, and a Doctorate of Ministry from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Boston, Massachusetts. He was a member of the Hope College Board of Trustees from 2017 until 2024.
In the event of rain, Commencement will be held at the Richard and Helen DeVos Fieldhouse. Tickets are not required for baccalaureate, and will only be required for commencement if held indoors.
Gentex Reports First Quarter Decline in Sales, Earnings
By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
Gentex Corporation is reporting a drop in both sales and earnings for the first quarter of this year.
The Zeeland-based manufacturer of digital vision, connected car, dimmable glass, fire protection technologies, medical devices and consumer electronics, reported last Friday that sales for the quarter ending March 31 fell 2 percent from the same period a year ago to $576.8 million, while net income fell 12.3 percent from the first quarter of 2024 to $94.9 million.
The company reported a quarterly gross profit margin of 33.2 percent, an increase of 70 basis points from the fourth quarter of last year, income from operations of $113 million and earnings per diluted share of 42 cents per share, down 11 percent from 47 cents per share in the same period last year.
Company officials said in its quarterly report that global light vehicle production increased 1 percent from the first quarter of last year, but was down 3 percent quarter-over-quarter in Gentex’s primary markets of North America, Europe and Japan/Korea.
"During the first quarter of 2025, trim-mix within the light vehicle production build weakened versus forecast across all major regions, but especially in our primary markets. The trim-mix impacted take rates for several features, but especially exterior mirror unit shipments, which were 15 percent down quarter-over-quarter in North America, and 8 percent internationally,” Gentex President and Chief Executive Officer Steve Downing said. “Overall, the weakness resulted in a shortfall of expected sales of approximately $25-30 million for the quarter.”
Tariffs put in place by President Trump earlier this year impacted Gentex’s gross margin in the first quarter, Downing said.
“The gross margin was … impacted by new tariff expenses of approximately $650,000 in the quarter,” he said. “We remain committed to the cost improvement initiatives already underway, and we are actively expanding this program to help identify additional efficiencies to help offset the margin pressures that are likely to be created due to the pending tariff impacts.”
Operating expenses during the first quarter of 2025 increased by 8 percent to $78.7 million, compared to operating expenses of $72.9 million in the first quarter of 2024. The company also incurred one-time expenses related to the recent merger of VOXX International Corporation, a global supplier of automotive and consumer electronics, as well as premium audio equipment.
First-quarter income from operations was $113.0 million, compared to $129.3 million for the first quarter of 2024. Net income for the first quarter of 2025 was $94.9 million, compared to $108.2 million for the first quarter of last year.
Automotive net sales in the first quarter of 2025 were $563.9 million, compared to $577.6 million for the same quarter a year ago. Auto-dimming mirror unit shipments decreased by 7 percent during the first quarter of 2025, compared to a year ago at this time.
As a result of the current and expected tariff escalation in the China market, Gentex has proactively halted production of interior and exterior mirrors destined for customers in the China market. Subsequently, many of the company's customers based in China have canceled or paused orders at this time, while Gentex works with these customers to better understand their ability and willingness to pay the elevated prices resulting from the new tariff rates.
"The last few months have been undeniably chaotic as we work to understand the impact that tariffs will have on our supply chain and sales channels,” Downing said. “The extent of the impact to revenue for the year depends on how much our sales into the China market will be limited by the counter-tariffs that are in place for our exports, as well as, how much additional cost our OEM customers and consumers will be willing to pay for the additional import tariffs.”
Gentex, which is traded on the Nasdaq Composite stock exchange under the symbol GNTX, has seen its share price decline significantly over the last five months, from $31.41 on Nov. 25, 2024 to a closing share price Monday of $21.79.
Zeeland Record
Gentex Corporation is reporting a drop in both sales and earnings for the first quarter of this year.
The Zeeland-based manufacturer of digital vision, connected car, dimmable glass, fire protection technologies, medical devices and consumer electronics, reported last Friday that sales for the quarter ending March 31 fell 2 percent from the same period a year ago to $576.8 million, while net income fell 12.3 percent from the first quarter of 2024 to $94.9 million.
The company reported a quarterly gross profit margin of 33.2 percent, an increase of 70 basis points from the fourth quarter of last year, income from operations of $113 million and earnings per diluted share of 42 cents per share, down 11 percent from 47 cents per share in the same period last year.
Company officials said in its quarterly report that global light vehicle production increased 1 percent from the first quarter of last year, but was down 3 percent quarter-over-quarter in Gentex’s primary markets of North America, Europe and Japan/Korea.
"During the first quarter of 2025, trim-mix within the light vehicle production build weakened versus forecast across all major regions, but especially in our primary markets. The trim-mix impacted take rates for several features, but especially exterior mirror unit shipments, which were 15 percent down quarter-over-quarter in North America, and 8 percent internationally,” Gentex President and Chief Executive Officer Steve Downing said. “Overall, the weakness resulted in a shortfall of expected sales of approximately $25-30 million for the quarter.”
Tariffs put in place by President Trump earlier this year impacted Gentex’s gross margin in the first quarter, Downing said.
“The gross margin was … impacted by new tariff expenses of approximately $650,000 in the quarter,” he said. “We remain committed to the cost improvement initiatives already underway, and we are actively expanding this program to help identify additional efficiencies to help offset the margin pressures that are likely to be created due to the pending tariff impacts.”
Operating expenses during the first quarter of 2025 increased by 8 percent to $78.7 million, compared to operating expenses of $72.9 million in the first quarter of 2024. The company also incurred one-time expenses related to the recent merger of VOXX International Corporation, a global supplier of automotive and consumer electronics, as well as premium audio equipment.
First-quarter income from operations was $113.0 million, compared to $129.3 million for the first quarter of 2024. Net income for the first quarter of 2025 was $94.9 million, compared to $108.2 million for the first quarter of last year.
Automotive net sales in the first quarter of 2025 were $563.9 million, compared to $577.6 million for the same quarter a year ago. Auto-dimming mirror unit shipments decreased by 7 percent during the first quarter of 2025, compared to a year ago at this time.
As a result of the current and expected tariff escalation in the China market, Gentex has proactively halted production of interior and exterior mirrors destined for customers in the China market. Subsequently, many of the company's customers based in China have canceled or paused orders at this time, while Gentex works with these customers to better understand their ability and willingness to pay the elevated prices resulting from the new tariff rates.
"The last few months have been undeniably chaotic as we work to understand the impact that tariffs will have on our supply chain and sales channels,” Downing said. “The extent of the impact to revenue for the year depends on how much our sales into the China market will be limited by the counter-tariffs that are in place for our exports, as well as, how much additional cost our OEM customers and consumers will be willing to pay for the additional import tariffs.”
Gentex, which is traded on the Nasdaq Composite stock exchange under the symbol GNTX, has seen its share price decline significantly over the last five months, from $31.41 on Nov. 25, 2024 to a closing share price Monday of $21.79.
Social Security Recipients May Be Eligible for SSI
By Hillary Hatch
Social Security Public Affairs Specialist
You may be able to get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) even if you already receive Social Security benefits. About 2.5 million adults and children get SSI and Social Security at the same time.
We pay Social Security benefits to workers and their eligible family members based on the worker’s earnings. SSI is a needs-based program that provides payments to people with little or no income and few resources.
People younger than 65 must be blind or have a disability and meet SSI income and resource limits, while people 65 and older do not have to have a disability. About 1.4 million people 65 and older receive both SSI and Social Security.
What do we mean by “little or no income”? In 2025, you may be eligible for SSI if your total income – including your Social Security benefit – is less than $987 per month (the 2025 SSI monthly federal benefit rate plus $20).
We consider income from all non-work sources, including pensions, veterans’ benefits, unemployment, and Social Security disability, retirement, and survivor benefits. We also count some – but not all – earnings from work, including self-employment.
What do we mean by “few resources”? Resources are things that you own that you could change to cash and use to support yourself. They include vehicles (if you own more than one) and money in bank accounts, stocks, and bonds.
We do not count your home and the land it’s on, as long as you live there. To be eligible for SSI, your resources cannot be worth more than $2,000 for a single person or $3,000 for a married couple living together.
For more information visit our blog article, You May Be Eligible for SSI and Social Security Benefits at blog.ssa.gov/you-may-be-eligible-for-ssi-and-social-security-benefits.
Social Security Public Affairs Specialist
You may be able to get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) even if you already receive Social Security benefits. About 2.5 million adults and children get SSI and Social Security at the same time.
We pay Social Security benefits to workers and their eligible family members based on the worker’s earnings. SSI is a needs-based program that provides payments to people with little or no income and few resources.
People younger than 65 must be blind or have a disability and meet SSI income and resource limits, while people 65 and older do not have to have a disability. About 1.4 million people 65 and older receive both SSI and Social Security.
What do we mean by “little or no income”? In 2025, you may be eligible for SSI if your total income – including your Social Security benefit – is less than $987 per month (the 2025 SSI monthly federal benefit rate plus $20).
We consider income from all non-work sources, including pensions, veterans’ benefits, unemployment, and Social Security disability, retirement, and survivor benefits. We also count some – but not all – earnings from work, including self-employment.
What do we mean by “few resources”? Resources are things that you own that you could change to cash and use to support yourself. They include vehicles (if you own more than one) and money in bank accounts, stocks, and bonds.
We do not count your home and the land it’s on, as long as you live there. To be eligible for SSI, your resources cannot be worth more than $2,000 for a single person or $3,000 for a married couple living together.
For more information visit our blog article, You May Be Eligible for SSI and Social Security Benefits at blog.ssa.gov/you-may-be-eligible-for-ssi-and-social-security-benefits.
Lloyd to Retire at Quincy; Karr Named New Principal
Thomas Karr, a Michigan native who has spent the past eight years in Houston, Texas, will take over as principal at Quincy Elementary School for the 2025-26 school year. A Central Michigan University graduate, Karr has a background as an elementary special education teacher, department chair, assistant principal and principal.
Quincy Elementary School Principal Angela Lloyd shows her school spirit at a pep assembly. Lloyd, who has been Quincy’s principal the last three years, is retiring at the end of the school after 25 years with Zeeland Public Schools.
Photos courtesy Zeeland Public Schools
By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
Quincy Elementary School will have a new principal in the fall.
Angela Lloyd, who has been the school’s principal the past three years, will retire at the end of the school year after 25 years with Zeeland Public Schools as a teacher and administrator. Thomas Karr, a Michigan native who has been a teacher and administrator in Houston, Texas the past eight years, has been named as Lloyd’s successor.
“When I came to ZPS as a brand-new teacher at the age of 23, little did I know the blessings to come both professionally and personally,” Lloyd said. “I am thankful for all of the past students, families and staff who have been a part of my ZPS journey both inside and outside of school.”
Lloyd began her career in 1999, teaching special education at Cityside Middle School. After 12 years at Cityside, she moved over to New Groningen Elementary School, where she taught special education for five years, then four more as a fifth-grade teacher.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Lloyd supported students as a virtual fifth-grade teacher, and worked as an instructional coach for staff serving Young Fives through fifth grade. She then took a fifth-grade assignment at Quincy, then became principal at Quincy in 2022.
Lloyd also served on the Zeeland Education Association negotiating team for 12 years, six of them as lead negotiator, helping build strong connections between teachers and administrators.
Lloyd’s love for education extends to her family. She and her husband, Chad, are parents of three ZPS graduates — Meghan, Brooklyn, and Nick.
Karr has been an elementary special education teacher, department chair, assistant principal and principal during his time in Houston. He and his wife, Allison, who is also a teacher, recently chose to return to Michigan.
Throughout the hiring process, Karr impressed the Quincy staff and district team with his warmth, energy, and student-first mindset. He shared a deep appreciation for the strong culture at Quincy and is eager to build on that foundation in partnership with students, staff, and families.
“Trevor is a joyful, relationship-driven leader with a strong background in curriculum and instruction,” ZPS Assistant Superintendent of Early Childhood and Elementary Curriculum Julie Paterick said. “His passion for helping students grow, both academically and personally, makes him a wonderful fit for Quincy Elementary and Zeeland Public Schools.”
Karr is a graduate of Central Michigan University.
Zeeland Record
Quincy Elementary School will have a new principal in the fall.
Angela Lloyd, who has been the school’s principal the past three years, will retire at the end of the school year after 25 years with Zeeland Public Schools as a teacher and administrator. Thomas Karr, a Michigan native who has been a teacher and administrator in Houston, Texas the past eight years, has been named as Lloyd’s successor.
“When I came to ZPS as a brand-new teacher at the age of 23, little did I know the blessings to come both professionally and personally,” Lloyd said. “I am thankful for all of the past students, families and staff who have been a part of my ZPS journey both inside and outside of school.”
Lloyd began her career in 1999, teaching special education at Cityside Middle School. After 12 years at Cityside, she moved over to New Groningen Elementary School, where she taught special education for five years, then four more as a fifth-grade teacher.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Lloyd supported students as a virtual fifth-grade teacher, and worked as an instructional coach for staff serving Young Fives through fifth grade. She then took a fifth-grade assignment at Quincy, then became principal at Quincy in 2022.
Lloyd also served on the Zeeland Education Association negotiating team for 12 years, six of them as lead negotiator, helping build strong connections between teachers and administrators.
Lloyd’s love for education extends to her family. She and her husband, Chad, are parents of three ZPS graduates — Meghan, Brooklyn, and Nick.
Karr has been an elementary special education teacher, department chair, assistant principal and principal during his time in Houston. He and his wife, Allison, who is also a teacher, recently chose to return to Michigan.
Throughout the hiring process, Karr impressed the Quincy staff and district team with his warmth, energy, and student-first mindset. He shared a deep appreciation for the strong culture at Quincy and is eager to build on that foundation in partnership with students, staff, and families.
“Trevor is a joyful, relationship-driven leader with a strong background in curriculum and instruction,” ZPS Assistant Superintendent of Early Childhood and Elementary Curriculum Julie Paterick said. “His passion for helping students grow, both academically and personally, makes him a wonderful fit for Quincy Elementary and Zeeland Public Schools.”
Karr is a graduate of Central Michigan University.
County Warning Siren Test Friday
Ottawa County Emergency Management will conduct a countywide outdoor warning siren test on Friday at 12 noon. This is a scheduled test to ensure the system is operating properly ahead of the summer severe weather season.
Outdoor warning sirens are designed to alert people who are outdoors to take immediate shelter during life-threatening emergencies. While most commonly associated with tornado warnings, Ottawa County’s sirens may also be activated for:
• Severe straight-line winds exceeding 80 mph
• Severe hail greater than 1.75 inches in diameter
• Hazardous materials releases that require urgent protective action
These sirens are intended for individuals who are outside at the time of an emergency. Sirens are not designed to be heard indoors, especially in well-insulated or large buildings. To stay fully informed during an emergency, residents should have multiple ways of receiving alerts, including NOAA weather radios, smartphone emergency alert apps, and monitoring local media.
If actual severe weather is occurring on Friday, the test will be postponed to the next appropriate date.
More information about Ottawa County’s outdoor warning sirens, severe weather safety, and emergency preparedness resources can be found at miottawa.org/sheriff/em/ or by contacting Ottawa County Emergency Management at (616) 738-4051.
Outdoor warning sirens are designed to alert people who are outdoors to take immediate shelter during life-threatening emergencies. While most commonly associated with tornado warnings, Ottawa County’s sirens may also be activated for:
• Severe straight-line winds exceeding 80 mph
• Severe hail greater than 1.75 inches in diameter
• Hazardous materials releases that require urgent protective action
These sirens are intended for individuals who are outside at the time of an emergency. Sirens are not designed to be heard indoors, especially in well-insulated or large buildings. To stay fully informed during an emergency, residents should have multiple ways of receiving alerts, including NOAA weather radios, smartphone emergency alert apps, and monitoring local media.
If actual severe weather is occurring on Friday, the test will be postponed to the next appropriate date.
More information about Ottawa County’s outdoor warning sirens, severe weather safety, and emergency preparedness resources can be found at miottawa.org/sheriff/em/ or by contacting Ottawa County Emergency Management at (616) 738-4051.
Tech Students Shine at State Competition
Diesel/Heavy Equipment Technology program students Jack Vannette, a Unity Christian High School senior, and homeschooled senior Paul TenHaaf placed second and third, respectively, in the SkillsUSA Michigan State Leadership and Skills Conference held April 11-13 in Grand Rapids.
More than 1,500 SkillsUSA Michigan members participated in 100 competitions in the largest conference and membership in the history of SkillsUSA Michigan. SkillsUSA Michigan is a nonprofit organization serving teachers and high school and college students preparing for skilled trades careers.
More than 1,500 SkillsUSA Michigan members participated in 100 competitions in the largest conference and membership in the history of SkillsUSA Michigan. SkillsUSA Michigan is a nonprofit organization serving teachers and high school and college students preparing for skilled trades careers.
Former Holland Mayor to Direct Hope Institute
Former Holland Mayor Phil Tanis has been designated as the next director of the Van Raalte Institute (VRI) of Hope College.
Tanis’ term will begin July 1. In the interim, he is serving as a senior research fellow at the institute.
Tanis will replace current director Donald A. Luidens, who will continue as the editor-in-chief of the Van Raalte Press and as a senior research fellow.
Tanis was the founding manager of the Knickerbocker Theatre in the late 1980s when Hope first acquired that complex and was elected to the Holland City Council when he was a student at Hope, from which he graduated in 1987.
During Tanis’ tenure on the city council, the downtown snowmelt system was approved and undertaken, and the muddy paths that crisscrossed Centennial Park were replaced by brick walkways.
From 1987 to 1989, Tanis served as the youngest city mayor in the United States. As mayor, he helped to found the Joint Archives of Holland, which at the time included Hope College, Western Theological Seminary, and the city of Holland. The Joint Archives (now, Hope College Archives and Special Collections) has been a close partner of the VRI since its inception in 1994.
Tanis served for 10 years in a variety of executive capacities with the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC), headquartered in Hanover, Germany. His roles centered on communication and operations of the WCRC. Before joining the WCRC staff, Tanis was manager of electronic communications on behalf of the Reformed Church in America.
Tanis’s sojourn in Hanover was not his only overseas assignment. From 1995 to 1996, he was a resident program officer of the International Republican Institute, serving in Sofia, Bulgaria. Drawing on the political experience of running his own local election campaigns, Tanis helped post-Soviet Union Bulgarians develop democratic institutions in their towns and cities.
As a Hope College student and city council member, Tanis interviewed surviving mayors about their tenures as mayors. This oral history project was the harbinger of his current interest in Holland’s history. Tanis hopes to build on those earlier records, adding interviews with subsequent mayors and other city leaders to write a fuller history of the political leadership of Holland over the last several decades.
The VRI is a research institute of Hope College; its mission is to honor “the memory and vision of the Rev. Dr. Albertus C. Van Raalte, the founder of Holland, Michigan, by engaging in and promoting the study of his life and legacy, exploring the history of the West Michigan community, and publishing through the Van Raalte Press, scholarly work on Dutch-American relations and Dutch immigration and heritage in North American and around the globe.”
Tanis’ term will begin July 1. In the interim, he is serving as a senior research fellow at the institute.
Tanis will replace current director Donald A. Luidens, who will continue as the editor-in-chief of the Van Raalte Press and as a senior research fellow.
Tanis was the founding manager of the Knickerbocker Theatre in the late 1980s when Hope first acquired that complex and was elected to the Holland City Council when he was a student at Hope, from which he graduated in 1987.
During Tanis’ tenure on the city council, the downtown snowmelt system was approved and undertaken, and the muddy paths that crisscrossed Centennial Park were replaced by brick walkways.
From 1987 to 1989, Tanis served as the youngest city mayor in the United States. As mayor, he helped to found the Joint Archives of Holland, which at the time included Hope College, Western Theological Seminary, and the city of Holland. The Joint Archives (now, Hope College Archives and Special Collections) has been a close partner of the VRI since its inception in 1994.
Tanis served for 10 years in a variety of executive capacities with the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC), headquartered in Hanover, Germany. His roles centered on communication and operations of the WCRC. Before joining the WCRC staff, Tanis was manager of electronic communications on behalf of the Reformed Church in America.
Tanis’s sojourn in Hanover was not his only overseas assignment. From 1995 to 1996, he was a resident program officer of the International Republican Institute, serving in Sofia, Bulgaria. Drawing on the political experience of running his own local election campaigns, Tanis helped post-Soviet Union Bulgarians develop democratic institutions in their towns and cities.
As a Hope College student and city council member, Tanis interviewed surviving mayors about their tenures as mayors. This oral history project was the harbinger of his current interest in Holland’s history. Tanis hopes to build on those earlier records, adding interviews with subsequent mayors and other city leaders to write a fuller history of the political leadership of Holland over the last several decades.
The VRI is a research institute of Hope College; its mission is to honor “the memory and vision of the Rev. Dr. Albertus C. Van Raalte, the founder of Holland, Michigan, by engaging in and promoting the study of his life and legacy, exploring the history of the West Michigan community, and publishing through the Van Raalte Press, scholarly work on Dutch-American relations and Dutch immigration and heritage in North American and around the globe.”
Applications Being Accepted for Street Performers
Downtown Holland is currently accepting applications from performing artists and groups who are interested in participating in the 2025 Gentex Street Performer Series, which will be held on Thursday evenings this summer from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. from June 12 to Aug. 14.
Musicians, jugglers, caricature artists, balloon twisters, face painters, dancers, magicians, and more are all invited to apply to participate in Downtown Holland’s signature summer event.
“Gentex is proud to once again be a title sponsor of this year’s Street Performers Series,” said Seth Bushouse, Vice President of Human Resources at Gentex Corporation. “This event is just one example of what makes Downtown Holland such a special place to visit during the summer and the performers are always so impressive.”
Performing artists and groups that are interested in participating in the Gentex Street Performer Series must complete the online application found at bit.ly/ 44tQJYN. A link to audition materials (such as a video or audio recording) must also be submitted as part of the application process.
Applications are due by Friday, May 9. Performers that are accepted into the series will be notified by email in late May with their list of performance dates and locations for the summer.
Performers that are accepted into the series must obtain a Downtown Holland Street Performer Permit from the Downtown Development Authority prior to their first performance date. The permit application is available online at downtownhol land.com.
Permits are $15 for individuals and $25 for groups. Permits are valid through the end of the calendar year and also allow performers the opportunity to perform at their leisure and busk for tips outside of Thursday nights in the approved performance locations.
In addition to busking for tips, performers that participate in the Street Performer Series will receive a stipend of $20 for each performance date.
Questions about the Gentex Street Performer Series application process can be directed to Downtown Holland Event Coordinator Andrea Bork at a.bork@ cityofholland.com or (616) 355-1058.
Musicians, jugglers, caricature artists, balloon twisters, face painters, dancers, magicians, and more are all invited to apply to participate in Downtown Holland’s signature summer event.
“Gentex is proud to once again be a title sponsor of this year’s Street Performers Series,” said Seth Bushouse, Vice President of Human Resources at Gentex Corporation. “This event is just one example of what makes Downtown Holland such a special place to visit during the summer and the performers are always so impressive.”
Performing artists and groups that are interested in participating in the Gentex Street Performer Series must complete the online application found at bit.ly/ 44tQJYN. A link to audition materials (such as a video or audio recording) must also be submitted as part of the application process.
Applications are due by Friday, May 9. Performers that are accepted into the series will be notified by email in late May with their list of performance dates and locations for the summer.
Performers that are accepted into the series must obtain a Downtown Holland Street Performer Permit from the Downtown Development Authority prior to their first performance date. The permit application is available online at downtownhol land.com.
Permits are $15 for individuals and $25 for groups. Permits are valid through the end of the calendar year and also allow performers the opportunity to perform at their leisure and busk for tips outside of Thursday nights in the approved performance locations.
In addition to busking for tips, performers that participate in the Street Performer Series will receive a stipend of $20 for each performance date.
Questions about the Gentex Street Performer Series application process can be directed to Downtown Holland Event Coordinator Andrea Bork at a.bork@ cityofholland.com or (616) 355-1058.
Careerline Student Places at FFA Contest
Taylor Westenbroek, junior at Holland Christian Schools, placed fifth in the Senior Division at the Michigan Future Farmers of America (FFA) Horse Judging Contest. The competition was held on March 29 at the Farm Bureau Pavilion at Michigan State University.
Participants demonstrated their equine evaluation and selection skills as well as their communication and decision-making skills. Seventy-six seniors from 24 school FFA’s participated in the competition.
Participants demonstrated their equine evaluation and selection skills as well as their communication and decision-making skills. Seventy-six seniors from 24 school FFA’s participated in the competition.
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