GRAND RAPIDS, MI – I have thought a lot about holiday traditions this season and how we can lose what makes them meaningful and special.
This is a joyful time of year when family and close friends have more opportunities to engage. But too often people feel pressure and stress to finish tasks this season at home and work. For example, preparing the house for guests and lining up activities or rushing to complete end of the year company projects.
We should be intentional about not letting too much “other stuff” take priority over the relationships we treasure. Instead of trying to do too much, there are a few special family holiday traditions that bring a smile we might want to concentrate on enjoying as well as creating new ones.
In addition to performances of Handel’s Messiah and The Nutcracker, reporter Lindsay Moore has suggested something we might want to add to our list at Van Raalte Farm. She told readers all about an illuminated trail that weaves you through a historic Holland farm, leading you into a decorated farmhouse.
Van Raalte’s “Holidays on the Farm,” will be open Friday, Dec. 12. Tickets are $10 a person for the event that was introduced last winter The 160-acre historic property is located at 76 E. 16th St.
As we reflect on families gathering, Ionia Public Schools Superintendent Ben Gurk recently announced their district family was mourning the death of a “beloved” educator found dead at a school building. On Monday, John Tunison told readers the deceased was identified as Welch High School Principal Jason Little, who was found Wednesday night, Dec. 3. No details were provided about the circumstances but police have said there was no threat to the community.
John also told us about the capacity crowd that turned out for a Zeeland Township meeting on Tuesday about a proposed large-scale solar farm. Residents told township planners why they believe a $300 million solar farm would ruin the township’s agricultural character.
They are concerned about the loss of prime farmland, potential environmental impacts on groundwater and wildlife and the unappealing look of solar panels. The Germany-based RWE wants to build the solar project on up to 1,100 acres spanning properties in Zeeland and Jamestown townships, south of I-196.
In Kent County, Ehren Wynder told readers about the huge crowd that forced Lowell Township officials to reschedule data center meeting Monday night.
There are still not a lot of details about the project. The Lowell Township Planning Commission intended to host a public hearing Monday for a rezoning that would allow a data center to be built at Covenant Park at 4687 Alden Nash Ave. SE. But when dozens of residents filled the township hall to voice their disapproval of the project, the meeting was canceled due to overcapacity.
Officials have said the potential data center could bring up to $1 billion in investment as the project is built over the course of three to five years. Data centers use significant electricity and water to power and cool their servers and equipment. Across the state, residents in various communities have been pushing back on projects pitched by developers.
In other business news, Brian McVicar told the community about a Kentwood-based company that operates a healthcare payment plan that expects to hire 200 people and add 55,000 square feet new office space at 5253 36th St. SE in Cascade Township, after securing a contract with a national healthcare system.
HealthBridge Financial’s expansion was announced during the Michigan Strategic Fund meeting this week. The project is estimated at $17.3 million over five years.
Those are just some of the stories in the Grand Rapids area this week that interested our readers.
Monica Scott is the editor for MLive Media Group’s The Grand Rapids Press and Muskegon Chronicle. She was previously a reporter who covered the city, county and schools in Grand Rapids.
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