Experience

Reflections on ‘Night Mayor’ George Aquino by his goddaughter.

RhaeAnn Booker always knew she wanted to work in a hospital, it just took her a while to get there — and not in the position she thought.

Drive the short 13 minutes east, from downtown Grand Rapids and you’ll find Ada, the quaint town that strikes just the right balance between old and new.

If you’re dreaming of a Christmas-time European getaway, you don’t have to travel farther than the Downtown Market. 

Drive a few minutes northwest and you’ll find Bridge Street, sitting just across the Grand River, where Michigan Street turns into the West Side Neighborhood.

It’s that time of year again. You want to see friends and do something fun, but it seems like you’ve done everything there is to do in West Michigan already this winter.

Historic homes and in-progress apartments; pubs in place for generations and trendy new eateries; walking trails and playgrounds.

A Grand Rapids-based music school will be hosting a 2022 summer music camp.

Janyre Tromp knows something about PTSD. She suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder due to childhood trauma. She experienced it as a result of her daughter’s long illness, which brought to the surface her childhood experiences once again. Combine that with stories from her grandfather’s experiences in World War II and a friend’s family history, and she had the makings of a novel.

Each year, we endure the unrelenting chill of winter–waiting, albeit not always patiently, for the unparalleled bliss of a West Michigan summer.

What do Houdini, Liza Minnelli and Barbie all have in common? No, this isn’t a mystifying riddle, but, in fact, all puzzle pieces that led to the community space that is Studio Park

Lake Michigan Credit Union is challenging kids to read five books this month for a chance to win $100.

The grand opening of a tire store in Wyoming had an unexpected outcome for a puppy named Peanut who was part of the festivities.

When Maribeth Groen talks about kids in need in Kent County, she doesn’t just talk about the poverty level — she talks about something more subtle. 

The Grand Rapids Gold is launching its NBA Cares Season of Giving for the holidays.

If you’ve dined out during the COVID-19 pandemic, you’ve probably noticed many changes. Masked restaurant staff, adjusted seating capacities and limited menus are just a few of the differences over the last two years as restaurants work tirelessly to overcome unforeseen obstacles and stay in business.

Talk to anyone who lives in Alger Heights and one of the first words out of their mouth is “walkability.”

Jenny Roberts is an artist, poet and Chicago transplant living in West Michigan, whose work examines the subtleties of life.

November in Michigan brings cold days, gray skies and fleeting daylight. But most importantly of all, it brings anticipation of the holidays.

He didn’t realize it at the time, but Chris Wessely’s calling dialed him up while he was a poor college student studying abroad in...