This week's episode welcomes Brooke Clement, director of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum.

Brooke Clement began her career with the National Archives as an archives technician at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She then held archival and supervisory positions with the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, and the Barack Obama Presidential Library.

Brooke joined us to discuss their current major exhibit, “Ford at 50,”… Decisions That Defined a Presidency. The exhibit features artifacts, documents, photographs, and much more to help tell the story of the Ford Presidency.

We also discussed the Betty Ford “mini-exhibit” profiling the “Betty Blip.” The exhibit gives visitors a chance to learn about Betty Ford’s breast cancer diagnosis just six weeks into her husband’s presidency.

Brooke reminded us that the Breton Village Train will also return to the museum during the holiday season.

Learn more: Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum.

On this week's episode, Phil Tower speaks with Carol Kendra, COO of Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park.

Carol shares how she became Frederik Meijer Garden & Sculpture Park's first Chief Operating Officer.

Before joining Frederik Meijer Gardens, Kendra was Vice President of Business Development, Strategic Growth, and Engagement at The Henry Ford in Dearborn, Michigan.

Carole also gave us a preview of the upcoming ENLIGHTEN Experience at Meijer Gardens – a new epic winter light spectacle happening November 27 through January 4th.

Carol also told us that Meijer Gardens achieved a new record attendance of over 780,000 visitors in the most recent fiscal year, and she expects that to be a calendar-year record as well.

At the same time as the Enlighten winter light spec spectacle, Meijer Gardens will also have its annual University of Michigan Health-West Christmas & Holiday Traditions exhibition… a top-rated attraction during the holiday season.

Online: Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park

On this week's episode, host Allison Donahue welcomes Sister Colleen Ann Nagle, Executive Director and Counselor at The Franciscan Life Process Center in Lowell, MI.

The mission of The Franciscan Life Process Center is to promote relationships with God that bring dignity and hope to the sacred process of all life through programs that assist, educate, enrich and inform, especially utilizing Music therapy, visual arts – workshops, classes, galleries, counseling services, spiritual integration, and other opportunities.

Online:The Franciscan Life Process Center

On this week's program, host Allison Donahue speaks with Veronica Horsley-Pettigrew, Community Outreach/Marketing Supervisor · Care Resources (PACE). Veronica joined Allison to discuss the community open house for Care Resources’ new location in Lowell, Michigan.

Care Resources is a community-based program for people 55 or older that promotes healthy, independent living and helps prevent nursing home placement. Our team of healthcare professionals works with you and your family to develop a comprehensive care plan — helping you make medical decisions every step of the way.

Online: Care Resources

In the second half of our program this week, WYCE station manager spoke with Tiffany Carr, the Community Engagement Coordinator for Michigan Veteran Homes and The Grand Rapids Home for Veterans, and Kristen Aidif, Director for the Veterans Day Five benefit run for The Grand Rapids Home for Veterans.

The fifth annual Veterans Day 5 starts and finishes at the Michigan Veteran Homes at Grand Rapids on Saturday, November 9!

The event features a timed 5 mile and 5K runs, along with a no charge, untimed .5 mile Remembrance Walk; the Veterans Day 5 will benefit the Michigan Veteran Homes at Grand Rapids.

The SpartanNash Community Pancake Breakfast will occur in the Michigan Veteran Homes and runs from 8:30a-11:30a.

Veterans Day 5

On this week's program, host Allison Donahue speaks with Becky Mercier, Trinity Health Breast Imaging Supervisor on the importance of mobile mammography in the battle against breast cancer.

In just one year, the mobile mammography unit at Trinity Health Grand Rapids has completed over 2,000 breast screenings and diagnosed 13 patients. The 40-foot bus, equipped with top-quality 3-D imaging capability, provides increased access to care in our community by visiting neighborhoods, partnering with organizations, and making breast care convenient.

In 2020, nearly half of eligible women in Grand Rapids’ racial and ethnically diverse neighborhoods didn’t have access to mammograms. The unit is committed to combatting this lack of reach, and they’ve begun to work towards it in the first year.

More info: Trinity Health Mobile Mammography

On this week's episode, WYCE Station Manager Phil Tower speaks with Allison Donahue, program manager at The Rapidian about the Rapidian's Mayoral Debate on monday, October 21 at Wealthy Theatre.

Allison previews the debate featuring Grand Rapids mayoral candidates former state representative David LaGrand and former Grand Rapids commissioner Senita Lenear.

More Online at The Rapidian

On this week's episode, WYCE Station Manager Phil Tower speaks with Ryan Waalkes, the founder and executive director of Bridge Street Ministries

Ryan joined us to discuss the origins of Bridge Street Ministries' program and its focus on discipleship and youth development, especially for middle schoolers with “high potential.”

The mission statement of Bridge Street Ministries states, “We believe young people are image bearers of God with inherent value and the capacity to cultivate thriving within their communities. Our programs reflect this, focusing on equipping and empowering youth throughout their middle school, high school, and post-high school years."

You can make a donation to support the efforts of their programming or learn more about how you can get involved via the link below.

Online: Bridge Street Ministries

On the program this week, we welcome Gaby Cordova, Director of Engagement, to the Hispanic Center of West Michigan.

Gaby joined us for an update on some important events that the Hispanic Center will be sponsoring later this year, especially in early 2025, when they will host a large Latinx Youth Conference at GRCC.

Gaby also informed us that the Hispanic Center is collecting winter coats for both children and adults for a distribution event on Saturday, November 16.

Coats can be dropped off at the Hispanic Center through Friday, November 15.

Founded in 1978, the Hispanic Center aims to provide unmet social services to the Hispanic Community in Greater West Michigan.

Located in the heart of Roosevelt Park, the largest Latino neighborhood in Grand Rapids, the Hispanic Center serves over 30,000 individuals annually.

They seek to address the needs of Latinos in West Michigan.

The Hispanic Center of Western Michigan is a non-profit 501(c) (3) community-based organization.

Online: Hispanic Center of West Michigan