Emmanuel Hospice
Burning the candle at both ends.
For family caregivers, it’s easy to do when juggling caregiving for a loved one with jobs and other responsibilities but not taking care of themselves can result in a snowball of negative effects, often unintended. Valerie Willock, a community relations specialist with Emmanuel Hospice, has seen it play out too often.
“If the caregiver is not taking care of themselves, that’s not helping anyone,” Willock said. “Caregiver fatigue and burnout are very real. There are a lot of layers of stress that begin to weigh on caregivers over time. There’s emotional and physical challenges, as well as a financial impact.”
Willock believes seeking support is an act of self-care and assures caregivers who are hesitant to ask for help that “people want to take care of people.”
“It’s important to find your community, whether it’s through your church, book club or a support group to help you get through difficult times,” she said. “Open up to people, and you’ll find others who are going through a similar situation. It really helps to realize you’re not alone.”
Equally important is taking time to learn about resources that can support you throughout your caregiving journey. Hospice care is one of those resources.
From Willock’s perspective, too few know how supportive hospice is – not only for patients but for caregivers, too. With hospice, she says caregivers and other family members gain “a whole support system” that allows them to focus on cherishing the remaining time with their loved one.
That support system includes an interdisciplinary team of medical providers, along with a social worker, home health aides, spiritual caregivers, complementary therapy specialists, bereavement counselors and others to ensure all needs are met. In addition, hospice can help take care of all the “nitty-gritty,” as Willock likes to say, of day-to-day care, including medication, durable medical equipment and other supplies.
“We serve as navigators at the end of life,” she said. “For anyone hesitant about accepting outside help, let me reassure you we are not here to take over control. We are here to listen, support and answer questions. We meet you where you are and just give you extra cushion.”
Willock’s goal for every family member she meets is for them to have the opportunity to step out of the role of caregiver and “just be the daughter, son or spouse” of their loved one during whatever time they have left together. She says learning about hospice sooner rather than later is always best and encourages families to have open conversations about how they want to live at the end of life.
“Once a caregiver has that conversation, a weight is lifted because there’s clarity about their loved one’s wishes,” Willock said. “They know who to call and what comes next. No surprises, just support.”
Zeeland native Sara Torrey Lowe founded Emmanuel Hospice in 2013 with Sr. Gabriela Hilke in collaboration with St. Ann’s Home, Clark Retirement, Porter Hills and Sunset Retirement Community. Lowe is now the chief executive officer of Emmanuel Hospice.
For more information, call 616-719-0919 or visit EmmanuelHospice.org.
Burning the candle at both ends.
For family caregivers, it’s easy to do when juggling caregiving for a loved one with jobs and other responsibilities but not taking care of themselves can result in a snowball of negative effects, often unintended. Valerie Willock, a community relations specialist with Emmanuel Hospice, has seen it play out too often.
“If the caregiver is not taking care of themselves, that’s not helping anyone,” Willock said. “Caregiver fatigue and burnout are very real. There are a lot of layers of stress that begin to weigh on caregivers over time. There’s emotional and physical challenges, as well as a financial impact.”
Willock believes seeking support is an act of self-care and assures caregivers who are hesitant to ask for help that “people want to take care of people.”
“It’s important to find your community, whether it’s through your church, book club or a support group to help you get through difficult times,” she said. “Open up to people, and you’ll find others who are going through a similar situation. It really helps to realize you’re not alone.”
Equally important is taking time to learn about resources that can support you throughout your caregiving journey. Hospice care is one of those resources.
From Willock’s perspective, too few know how supportive hospice is – not only for patients but for caregivers, too. With hospice, she says caregivers and other family members gain “a whole support system” that allows them to focus on cherishing the remaining time with their loved one.
That support system includes an interdisciplinary team of medical providers, along with a social worker, home health aides, spiritual caregivers, complementary therapy specialists, bereavement counselors and others to ensure all needs are met. In addition, hospice can help take care of all the “nitty-gritty,” as Willock likes to say, of day-to-day care, including medication, durable medical equipment and other supplies.
“We serve as navigators at the end of life,” she said. “For anyone hesitant about accepting outside help, let me reassure you we are not here to take over control. We are here to listen, support and answer questions. We meet you where you are and just give you extra cushion.”
Willock’s goal for every family member she meets is for them to have the opportunity to step out of the role of caregiver and “just be the daughter, son or spouse” of their loved one during whatever time they have left together. She says learning about hospice sooner rather than later is always best and encourages families to have open conversations about how they want to live at the end of life.
“Once a caregiver has that conversation, a weight is lifted because there’s clarity about their loved one’s wishes,” Willock said. “They know who to call and what comes next. No surprises, just support.”
Zeeland native Sara Torrey Lowe founded Emmanuel Hospice in 2013 with Sr. Gabriela Hilke in collaboration with St. Ann’s Home, Clark Retirement, Porter Hills and Sunset Retirement Community. Lowe is now the chief executive officer of Emmanuel Hospice.
For more information, call 616-719-0919 or visit EmmanuelHospice.org.
Dutch Quartet to Perform at Hope College Tonight
Hope College welcomes the acclaimed Dudok Quartet Amsterdam at 7:30 p.m. tonight at the Jack H. Miller Center, as the college’s Great Performance Series continues in 2026.
The Dudok Quartet Amsterdam has forged a reputation as one of the most creative and versatile quartets of its generation. With its ethos of “sharing the heart of music,” the quartet believes that chamber music is an act of friendship and play to be shared directly with audiences, and is committed to crafting unique and eclectic programmes that engage listeners in imaginative ways.
“The Dudok Quartet Amsterdam was quite simply revelatory,” reviewed the Irish Times. The Guardian (U.K.) described them as “stylish, open-minded and adventurous.”
Their program at Hope College will consist of Franz Schubert’s String Quartet No. 10 (D. 87) in E-flat Major; Bushra El-Turk’s Three Tributes' for String Quartet (2024); and Dmitri Shostakovich’s String Quartet No. 3 in F Major Op 73.
Quartet members include Judith van Driel (violin); Marleen Wester (violin); Marie-Louise de Jong (viola); and David Faber (cello).
Committed to reaching new audiences, Dudok Quartet Amsterdam often explores innovative musical formats. In 2024, they set up their own festival in the Netherlands town of Kampen, offering a wide range of music and events to around 3,000 residents and visitors. The third edition takes place in May 2026. For their Signature Sessions, they made string-quartet arrangements of well-known music, recording them for YouTube and sharing the scores online for free. They have also worked beyond the borders of music, performing a dance show La Petite Poucette, based on the stories of Hans Christian Andersen and staged at Luxembourg Philharmonie in 2021.
Tickets are $30 for regular admission, $26 for senior citizens and Hope faculty and staff, $15 for children ages 18 and younger, and free for Hope students. 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.
Jack H. Miller Center for Musical Arts is located at 221 Columbia Ave., between Ninth and 10th streets.
The Dudok Quartet Amsterdam has forged a reputation as one of the most creative and versatile quartets of its generation. With its ethos of “sharing the heart of music,” the quartet believes that chamber music is an act of friendship and play to be shared directly with audiences, and is committed to crafting unique and eclectic programmes that engage listeners in imaginative ways.
“The Dudok Quartet Amsterdam was quite simply revelatory,” reviewed the Irish Times. The Guardian (U.K.) described them as “stylish, open-minded and adventurous.”
Their program at Hope College will consist of Franz Schubert’s String Quartet No. 10 (D. 87) in E-flat Major; Bushra El-Turk’s Three Tributes' for String Quartet (2024); and Dmitri Shostakovich’s String Quartet No. 3 in F Major Op 73.
Quartet members include Judith van Driel (violin); Marleen Wester (violin); Marie-Louise de Jong (viola); and David Faber (cello).
Committed to reaching new audiences, Dudok Quartet Amsterdam often explores innovative musical formats. In 2024, they set up their own festival in the Netherlands town of Kampen, offering a wide range of music and events to around 3,000 residents and visitors. The third edition takes place in May 2026. For their Signature Sessions, they made string-quartet arrangements of well-known music, recording them for YouTube and sharing the scores online for free. They have also worked beyond the borders of music, performing a dance show La Petite Poucette, based on the stories of Hans Christian Andersen and staged at Luxembourg Philharmonie in 2021.
Tickets are $30 for regular admission, $26 for senior citizens and Hope faculty and staff, $15 for children ages 18 and younger, and free for Hope students. 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.
Jack H. Miller Center for Musical Arts is located at 221 Columbia Ave., between Ninth and 10th streets.
ZPS Superintendent to Hold Coffee Chat at Frank’s
Zeeland Public Schools Superintendent Rod Hetherton will hold a casual coffee chat to meet with members of the community on Friday, Feb. 6 at Frank’s Restaurant downtown.
The superintendent will be at Frank’s from 8:30 to 10 a.m., and is available for questions, sharing thoughts or simply to say hello.
“Strong leadership begins with listening, and I value opportunities to connect directly with our community,” Hetherton said in his most recent superintendent update to the community.
The superintendent will be at Frank’s from 8:30 to 10 a.m., and is available for questions, sharing thoughts or simply to say hello.
“Strong leadership begins with listening, and I value opportunities to connect directly with our community,” Hetherton said in his most recent superintendent update to the community.
Input Sought on County Mental Health Services
The community is invited to attend upcoming public hearings to learn more and share input as the Board of Commissioners considers transitioning Community Mental Health of Ottawa County from a department to an authority.
A hearing was held Tuesday at the Georgetown Township Public Library. A second hearing has been rescheduled for next Monday at the Spring Lake Community Center, 15549 Cleveland St., Spring Lake, and a final hearing will take place Thursday, Feb. 5 at 6 p.m. in the main conference room of the Ottawa County Department of Public Health, 12251 James St., Holland.
The hearing will include a presentation followed by a public comment period. To provide an opportunity for all speakers and to ensure the meeting proceeds efficiently, public comments are limited to three minutes per person.
It is important to note that the public comment period is not a "question and answer" session. Questions may be posed; however, they will not be answered during the hearings. All questions will be compiled and addressed at a later date.
Community feedback is an important part of the decision-making process. Residents are encouraged to participate and share their perspectives to help inform the Board of Commissioners as it considers this matter.
A hearing was held Tuesday at the Georgetown Township Public Library. A second hearing has been rescheduled for next Monday at the Spring Lake Community Center, 15549 Cleveland St., Spring Lake, and a final hearing will take place Thursday, Feb. 5 at 6 p.m. in the main conference room of the Ottawa County Department of Public Health, 12251 James St., Holland.
The hearing will include a presentation followed by a public comment period. To provide an opportunity for all speakers and to ensure the meeting proceeds efficiently, public comments are limited to three minutes per person.
It is important to note that the public comment period is not a "question and answer" session. Questions may be posed; however, they will not be answered during the hearings. All questions will be compiled and addressed at a later date.
Community feedback is an important part of the decision-making process. Residents are encouraged to participate and share their perspectives to help inform the Board of Commissioners as it considers this matter.
College Briefs
Samford Honors Pacanowski, Gibson
Samford University has named Claire Pacanowski and Mary Gibson, both of Zeeland, to its Dean’s List for the Fall 2025 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.
Located in the Homewood suburb of Birmingham, Ala., Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools.
Four Named to Dean’s List at Southern New Hampshire
Four students from Zeeland have been recognized for outstanding academic work during the fall 2025 semester at Southern New Hampshire University.
Brooke Hahn and Diego Valdes have been named to SNHU’s President’s List for the semester, while Faith Adams and Karen Nunez-Tostado made the Dean’s List.
Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum grade point average of 3.700 and above for the reporting term are named to the President's List, while Dean’s List honors are awarded to full-time undergraduates who have earned a GPA of 3.500 to 3.699 for the semester. Full-time status is achieved by earning 12 credits over each 16-week term or paired 8-week terms grouped in fall, winter/spring, and summer.
Southern New Hampshire University is a nonprofit, accredited institution with a 93-year history of educating traditional-aged students and working adults. Now serving more than 200,000 learners worldwide, SNHU offers approximately 200 undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs, available online and on its 300-acre campus in Manchester, N.H.
Smith Named to President’s List at Trine
Rylee Smith has been named to the President’s List for the Fall 2025 semester at Trine University.
To earn President's List honors, students must complete a minimum of 12 hours and have a grade point average of 3.750-4.000.
Smith is majoring in exercise science/pre-physical therapy.
Trine University is an internationally recognized, private, co-educational, residential institution, offers associate's, bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in the Allen School of Engineering & Computing, Ketner School of Business, College of Graduate and Professional Studies, Brooks College of Health Professions, Franks School of Education, Jannen School of Arts & Sciences and Rinker-Ross School of Health Sciences. Trine’s main campus is located in Angola, Ind.
Brands Named To Wisconsin Lutheran Dean’s List
Emily Brands, of Zeeland, a senior at Wisconsin Lutheran College, has been named to the college's Dean's List for the fall 2025 semester. Emily is a graduate of Pentecostal Christian Academy.
To be eligible for Dean's List, a student must carry a semester GPA of 3.6 or higher.
Wisconsin Lutheran College is an independent, nationally-ranked Christian college located in Milwaukee, Wis. The college, which prepares students for lives of Christian leadership, is recognized for its academic excellence and superior student experience. For more information, visit wlc.edu.
Seay Makes Cumberlands Dean's List
In recognition of academic performance, the Office of Academic Affairs at University of the Cumberlands has announced that Christopher Seay of Zeeland has been named to the Dean's List for the fall 2025 semester.
To be eligible for the Dean's List, students must be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours (a full course load), maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.50 for the semester, and be in good academic standing.
University of the Cumberlands is one of the largest and most affordable private universities in Kentucky. Located in Williamsburg, Ky., Cumberlands is an institution of regional distinction offering quality undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and online degree programs. Learn more at ucumberlands.edu.
