As the need for essentials continues to grow across Ottawa County, Harvest Stand Ministries invites the community to come together in support of local families through its upcoming fall banquet.

The banquet will take place next Tuesday, Oct. 7, at 6 p.m. at The Foundry Church, 425 100th Ave., Zeeland.

Harvest Stand Ministries is a faith-based food and clothing pantry serving the greater Zeeland area and surrounding Ottawa County. Each week, the ministry provides free groceries, clothing, and resource connections to individuals and families facing financial hardship. 

Over the past year, the number of households seeking assistance has continued to rise, reflecting the increasing strain many are experiencing in our local community.

This free event includes a catered dinner, live music, a raffle auction, and inspiring ministry update from Harvest Stand Ministries Executive Director Jordan Palladino. While there is no cost to attend, an RSVP is required.

“We are excited to share some exciting updates with our amazing Zeeland community,” Palladino said. “It is so wonderful to invite our friends and supporters to come together and celebrate the work God is doing through HSM in Zeeland.”

Anyone interested in attending should contact Kim Grose to reserve a spot, either via email at kimberlee@harveststand.org or by phone at (616) 741-8250, ext. 6.

Lakeshore Advantage has announced it has exceeded its goal for “Powering Our Future: The Next Lakeshore Generation,” a five-year growth plan and fundraising campaign designed to strengthen the West Michigan Lakeshore region’s competitiveness in the global economy.

The campaign raised more than $2.4 million through commitments from 38 regional businesses, organizations, and individuals. 

Launched publicly in April 2025, the private-sector-focused campaign set out to raise $2.3 million in new revenue to fund strategic initiatives supporting business growth, talent development, and entrepreneurship. 

“This campaign has been about more than dollars — it’s been about uniting our region’s leadership around a shared vision for the future,” said Jeff Stutz, campaign co-chair and chief operating officer of MillerKnoll. “These investments will directly fuel the initiatives that our region’s employers and communities need to remain strong, resilient, and competitive for years to come.”

Stutz co-chaired the campaign alongside P.J. Thompson, CEO of Trans-Matic and Lakeshore Advantage President Jennifer Owens. Funds raised will power the execution of Lakeshore Advantage’s targeted five-year growth plan, built around three strategic pillars:

• Powering Our Future Workforce: Accelerating attraction, retention, and growth in the talent pipeline, with a focus on emerging workers in high-demand positions.

• Powering Primary Employers and Communities: Supporting the stability and growth of existing businesses while continuing to position the region as a top choice for business investment.

• Powering the Next Generation of Employers: Growing a dynamic startup ecosystem for product and technology entrepreneurs.

Through these initiatives, Lakeshore Advantage aims to achieve by 2030:

• Creation of 5,000 new primary jobs and 4,374 indirect jobs

• $375 million in new business expansion investments

• $10 million in new capital investment in startups

• Strengthened regional resilience and competitiveness

Thompson reflected on the campaign’s significance: “When my father started Trans-Matic in 1968, he was investing in the future of our community. That’s exactly what this campaign represents—laying the foundation for the region’s immediate future and the next generation.”

The campaign's success reflects a broad base of private sector support for the region’s economic vitality. Top supporters of the campaign include:

• Now for the Next Fund
• Grand Haven Area Community Foundation
• MillerKnoll
• Allegan County Community Foundation
• Corewell Health / Priority Health
• Fifth Third Bank
• Huntington Bank
• LG Energy Solution

“Exceeding our goal shows how deeply our investors are committed to building sustainable economic growth,” Lakeshore Advantage vice president of engagement Beth Blanton said. “When economic development is working at its best the return is clear: it means thriving businesses, strong local governments, and high-quality job opportunities for people in this region.”

Lakeshore Advantage contracted Convergent Nonprofit Solutions to help conduct the campaign. For more on the Powering Our Future plan, visit lakeshoreadvantage.com/about-us/strategic-plan-pof.

Lakeshore Advantage is the economic development organization serving Allegan and Ottawa counties. Since 2003, it has supported the growth of primary employers — ranging from startups to global corporations — by solving economic challenges and fostering long-term regional prosperity. 

Last year, Lakeshore Advantage facilitated $243.9 million in private sector investments, helped businesses secure $44.7 million in support funds, and helped create or retain more than 550 jobs. Learn more at lakeshoreadvantage.com.

The Herrick District Library in Holland is hosting an adult storytelling series, which is comprised of a community workshop next Tuesday, leading up to the final live performances on Oct. 14 at Bowerman’s on 8th. 

Fans of NPR’s “The Moth” will enjoy the opportunity to explore the human experience through their authentic stories regarding the theme “Holding On.” In this theme, participants are encouraged to remember their own experiences when they knew something was worth fighting for or holding onto.  

Moth Grand Slam winner and Michigan storyteller David Scott Smith will join the Herrick District Library next Tuesday. From 6-8 p.m. at the Herrick Library main branch, Smith will host a hands-on storytelling workshop. This workshop will help people craft their stories and learn to share them confidently for an audience.  

Join other storytellers, both writers and speakers, to challenge your skills. Stories must be true and personal, told in five minutes or less without note cards or a script. 

This storytelling series allows performers to explore authenticity in a creative presentation for the community in Holland. 

“In essence, the library is all about storytelling, whether in books and resources, or in personal and community growth through programming,” said Eileen Button, a Herrick District Library reference librarian. “The library focuses on community, connection, and curiosity; collective storytelling meets all these elements.” 

On Tuesday, Oct. 14, participants for the Herrick Library Storytelling Series will present their completed story performance for the entire Holland community at Bowerman’s on 8th. The event will run from 6 to 8 p.m.

“Storytelling does a beautiful job in creating community, especially during these divisive times,” Button said. “I often say that people can disagree with my position, but they cannot disagree with my story. Sharing it is powerful for both the speaker and the listeners. It's a fantastic way to remind us that we are not alone.”

About 600 people turned out at the Critter Barn in Zeeland Township last Saturday for the farm’s annual Family Round-Up fundraiser.

The event raised about $11,000 toward the farm’s operations, programming coordinator Makayla Brewer wrote in an email to the Zeeland Record.

“The event helps us raise funds for our operational expenses, as it costs approximately $3,000 per day to keep Critter Barn running, covering everything from animal feed to barn maintenance and staff,” Brewer wrote in her email.

The Family Round-Up invites families to enjoy the farm with additional carnival-themed activities, such as games, a bounce house, face painting and balloon animals. It also gives them an opportunity to visit with the Critter Barn’s many animals, Brewer wrote.

The Critter Barn will host its fifth annual Boo at the Barn Halloween-themed celebration Oct. 24-25. The event will be held from 1 to 8 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $10 for adults and children above the age of 2. Children 2 and under get in for free. Visit critterbarn.org for more information.

Windmill Island Gardens is launching a brand-new event for truck enthusiasts of all ages.

On Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., you can explore emergency vehicles, construction trucks, utility trucks, a helicopter, and so much more during the all-new Touch a Truck event the gardens in downtown Holland.

“We have such an amazing line up of vehicles for the first year of this event, and we can’t wait for the community to come and check them out,” said Andrea Bork, programs coordinator at Windmill Island Gardens.

The event will have a quiet start, being siren free from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. for sound-sensitive visitors. After 11:30 a.m., sirens and horns will run intermittently for the duration of the event. Each vehicle will have an attendant to answer questions and help guide everyone through all the special features.

Have you ever wondered how Windmill Island Gardens’ horticulture team plants more than 180,000 tulip bulbs every fall? See the tulip-planting tractor working live in action as the gardens’ horticulture team demonstrates their planting techniques in one of its tulip fields during the event.

Hayrides will also be offered during Touch a Truck. For $1, visitors can get a hayride wristband to hop-on and hop-off during their visit. The hayride will have two pickup locations to easily explore both fields of trucks, and go on a ride around the island to see the De Zwaan windmill from every angle, and the beginnings of fall colors! 

The event will also feature various kids activities, food from ZOMburger’s food truck, and even the island’s chickens will be in on the fall fun, carving their very own pumpkins.

Admission to Touch a Truck is just $5 per adult, with ages 15 and under entering free.

Admission provides access to all event festivities and all regular park attractions with only hayrides an additional $1 charge for ages 3 and up.

The Shoreline Amateur Astronomical Association will celebrate National Astronomy Day on Saturday at the Public Observatory at Hemlock Crossing County Park for a free, family-friendly day of space exploration and skywatching. 
In case of good weather conditions (clear skies), here is the schedule:

12 noon – 5 p.m.
Public Solar Observing: Experience the wonders of the sun through the observatory’s Coronado and Meade LX-600 telescopes.
Planet Walk: Take a stroll along the path by the observatory and explore the distances between planets. Learn fascinating facts about our solar system as you go.

7-8 p.m.
Comets, Asteroids and Meteors Lecture: We’ll explore the origins, compositions, types of orbits, and exceptional examples of Comets, Asteroids and Meteors. In addition, we’ll cover online sources of in-depth information about each and how to best observe them in the night sky. Registration is appreciated.

8:15 p.m. – Midnight
General Observing: Enjoy a night under the stars! With the 16” LX-600 telescope and several smaller telescopes, we’ll explore the night sky.
Constellation Identification & Mythological Stories: Learn to identify constellations and hear ancient stories behind them.
In case of inclement weather, activities will move inside the Nature Education Center.

12 noon-5 p.m.
Planet Walk Display & Telescope Exhibit: The indoor displays and exhibits will bring the wonders of space to life.
Space-Related Video Displays: Enjoy informative videos on space and astronomy.

7-8 p.m.
Comets, Asteroids and Meteors Lecture: We’ll explore the origins, compositions, types of orbits, and exceptional examples of Comets, Asteroids and Meteors. In addition, we’ll cover online sources of in-depth information about each and how to best observe them in the night sky. Registration is appreciated.

To add to the excitement, each child will receive a free raffle ticket, and three telescopes will be awarded after the lecture. You do not need to be present to win. Winning numbers will be posted at holland-saaa.org.

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