After years of dreaming, discussing, and designing, a farmer’s market for the inner city is now happening. Seven abandoned warehouses on a city block bordered by Ionia, Logan, Wealthy, and 131 have been replaced by a soaring structure of recycled wood and concrete. From 131, the Market will be recognized … More FARM FOOD? FAMILY FUN? FIND THE DOWNTOWN MARKET »
Two of Peter Wege’s granddaughters, Jennifer Wege from North Carolina and Caitlin Wege from California, came to Grand Rapids in March to attend LaughFest, a fundraiser for the cancer-support group Gilda’s Club. The Wege Foundation has been a major LaughFest sponsor since the 10-day comedy festival kicked off in 2011. … More KROC TOUR WITH JENNIFER AND CAITLIN WEGE »
Talk about raising the roof! Grand Rapids’ popular Fulton Street Farmers Market is undergoing a $2.7 million upgrade converting it into a year-around enterprise. In three months, the snows of winter adorning the construction site will be replaced by fruits of spring when the Market opens the first Saturday in … More May 5 The New and Improved Fulton Street Farmers Market Opens Up »
Baxter Community Center kicked off 2012 by filling a vital need in caring for their youngest clients when they opened a colorful new room filled with toddler toys. The sign on the door reads, “Ms. Melanie’s Sparrows.” Ellen Satterlee, CEO of The Wege Foundation, used her “naming” opportunity as one … More Baxter Opens A New Nest For Sparrows »
After the 1960s race riots, Eastern Avenue Christian Reformed Church members made a bold decision. They converted nearby Baxter Christian School into a safe haven where their neighbors white and black could come together as one. Some forty years later, Baxter Community Center continues to be “an island of hope” … More Letters to Peter Wege from S. African Travelers »
The overwhelming success of Gilda Club’s first LaughFest in March 2011 meant for sure the cancer-support group would do it again. With 55,000 people attending last year’s ten-day marathon of funny people on stage, Gilda’s Club leaders knew they had a good thing going. Even more important, the original LaughFest … More Gilda’s Club Planning LaughFest 2012 »
In the fall of 2011, John Ball Park celebrated $12 million of planned upgrades with some of the key donors pictured here manning the groundbreaking shovels. This first dirt was thrown at the construction spot where elevated train tracks will be laid to carry visitors uphill onto zoo land that … More “All Aboard!” Coming to John Ball Zoo »
When Peter M. Wege and The Wege Foundation made the lead gift to found the cancer-support community known as Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids, Peter knew it was a good idea. Because both his parents had died of cancer, he knew that families of cancer patients need their own support network. … More GILDA’S CLUB TEN YEARS LATER – on youtube.com. »
Public transportation in Grand Rapids is not only alive and well, it is also about to run better, faster, and more often. Thanks to the recent passage of increased millage for the Rapid bus system, the Silver Line will hit the road next year carrying more passengers more often to … More ECONOMICOLOGY: THE RAPID’S SILVER LINE »
