Category Archives: Community News

Michigan winters aren’t getting any warmer and those who can’t afford the proper attire know how painful that can be.

The Muskegon Lumberjacks are hosting a coat, boot and blanket drive through Friday, December 13 to help those who don’t have the right clothing to manage the brutal winter conditions.

At Friday’s (December 13) home game, every fan that donates a coat, boots or blanket, receives a free ticket to the Lumberjacks’ Feb. 29 home game.

“We know there are a lot of people struggling to stay warm during these tough winter months,” said Muskegon Lumberjacks President Mike McCall. “There’s a lot more to life than hockey and I’m reminded of this when I see anyone without a warm coat or boots during a Michigan December.”

All coat, boots, and blanket donations the Lumberjacks receive are distributed through Muskegon Public Schools and the Muskegon Rescue Mission.

“The rescue mission and MPS are the groups that have boots on the ground every day and know who needs the most help,” said McCall about why the Lumberjacks choose to join with MPS and the rescue mission. “They work with our community’s most vulnerable people on a day to day basis and that’s why we want to make sure the Lumberjacks and its supporters are helping these two groups.”

The Lumberjacks Business Office is open from 9 AM – 5 PM for donations and will be taking donations through Friday’s 7:05 PM home game against Team USA U18.

If you would like more information about this topic and how you can help the Lumberjacks make this coat, boot and blanket drive a successful campaign, please call Corina Collier at 231-799-7000 x258 or email: ccollier@muskegonlumberjacks.com.

Lumberjacks defense will try to bounce back with Friday home game against Team USA U18

The Muskegon Lumberjacks looked to turn around a tough stretch of hockey that goes back into November, with a Wednesday morning matchup against Team USA U18.

Unfortunately for Muskegon, the losses are continuing into December as the Lumberjacks fell 6-1 to host Team USA.

Muskegon’s lone goal came from Cameron Berg on an assist from Jack Williams just over four minutes into the third period.

A four-goal second period was what Team USA needed to top Muskegon.

Team USA got on the board first with a Matthew Beniers goal four minutes into the second period. Landon Slaggert followed up with another goal five minutes later and the Lumberjacks trailed 2-0.

Brett Berard and Hunter Strand each added goals to give Team USA a 4-0 lead going into the third period.

The Lumberjacks defense continued to struggle early in the final period as Team USA’s Dylan Peterson found the back of the net 37 seconds in.

“We’re playing hard hockey right now, but we have to clean up on our defensive responsibilities,” said Muskegon Coach Mike Hamilton. “We are a good hockey team and we have some regrouping to do, to be ready for Friday.”

Eamon Powell rounded out the scoring for Team USA on a goal late in the third period.

The Lumberjacks now look to rebound against Team USA U18 on Friday for a 7:05 PM puck drop at the L.C. Walker Arena.

Coach Hamilton is confident in his team’s abilities to respond to a tough stretch where the Lumberjacks have lost nine out of their last 11 games.

“We have the same team on Friday,” said Hamilton about his team’s next opportunity against Team USA, to correct the rough stretch of hockey his team is on. “I’m not questioning our effort because none of us feel good about today’s results. We’ll play smarter on Friday, but you aren’t going to win many games if you only score one goal.”

The Lumberjacks are hosting a boots and coats drive at their home game on Friday for Muskegon Public Schools and the Muskegon Rescue Mission.

Fans who donate a coat or a pair of boots, receive a free ticket to the Lumberjacks’ February 29 home game against Fargo

Give the gift of yourself this holiday season and volunteer to ring bells for The Salvation Army!

The organization’s 2019 Red Kettle Campaign kicks off Friday, November 15, 2019
at more than 28 locations in the community and continues through Christmas Eve, every day except Sundays.

“It’s a fun thing for an individual, family, church, business or service club to do to get in the holiday spirit and make a difference for those in need in our community,” said Majors Mark and Valerie Nance with The Salvation Army.  “We encourage people to sign up early to get their first pick for the day, time and location they would like to bell ring.”

All of the money donated to the red kettles stays in the community to fund Salvation Army programs year-round, including emergency rent and utility assistance, food pantry, youth and senior programs, Thanksgiving meals, Christmas Toy Shop and Turning Point outpatient addiction rehabilitation.

“This year has been particularly tough for many families,” said Majors Mark and Valerie Nance with The Salvation Army. “More people are coming to us for help as they try to make ends meet. We have faith that the community, will come together to meet the needs of those who are struggling.”

If you or your group would like to bell ring for The Salvation Army this holiday season, please contact visit registertoring.com to sign up online or contact Major Mark Nance at office 231-773-3284 or cell 231-740-2173

In addition to bell ringing, the Salvation Army has many other holiday volunteer needs including our Turkey Run, Christmas Toy Shop, Food Packing and Sorting and much more. Please contact Major Valerie Nance at office: 231-773-3284

Come celebrate with Radium Photo as we open our doors to commemorate 110 years in business in booming Downtown Muskegon. We will host an open house/ribbon cutting ceremony on December 13^th from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with the ribbon cutting taking place promptly at 4:30 p.m. Our celebration will continue Saturday, December 14^th with an open house from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Hors d’Oeuvres and refreshments will be available as you revisit Old Downtown Muskegon with pictures and antique cameras on display, and then see how we have adapted over the years staying relevant in the printing and photography industry. Door prizes and giveaways will make this an event you will not want to miss.

Radium Photo is a premier printing lab in West Michigan offering high end photo finishing and an array of specialty wall decor. We specialize in printing for photographers, artists and businesses. “What makes us unique is that as a professional printing lab, we do not limit our printing services to only professional photographers,” Charles Cihak IV, General Manager said. “Everyone is welcome to enjoy the benefits of our archival printing and products that we have to offer.” Radium also takes pictures for many of the schools and sport leagues in the area, as well as local fine art and scout camps.

Radium Photo was established in 1909 by Joseph Cihak. Shortly afterwards in 1915, Charles Cihak took over and then in 1961 he sold the business to his son Charlie Cihak II. Radium Photo is now four generations strong, currently owned by Charles Cihak III (who purchased the business in 1983) and managed by Charles Cihak IV. “We love being in Downtown Muskegon, and I could not imagine us anywhere else,” said Charles Cihak IV.

Stop by and check out our wide array of printing and photography services on December 13th or 14^th. Special discounts on custom Christmas Cards and products will be available. You will not be disappointed!

MUSKEGON WENT INTO NOVEMBER HOT, BUT NOW FIGHTING OFF SOME WINTER BLUES

After Danil Gushchin closed out his amazing four-goal performance to propel the Muskegon Lumberjacks to a 4-3 overtime win on Nov. 1, the team seemed pretty invincible.­

It was the Jacks’ seventh straight victory after an 0-4 start to the season, and momentum seemed to be carrying them toward first place.

But since Nov. 1, Muskegon has dropped five of its last six games and has fallen in the standings. The latest setbacks came in Omaha last weekend, when the Jacks lost 4-1 on Friday and 5-2 on Saturday.

Now the big question is what happened to the Lumberjacks in recent weeks, and how are they going to quickly right the ship?

“We just need to work a little harder to get out of this slump,” said Lumberjacks coach Mike Hamilton. “We have to find a way to figure this out. It’s really hard to win games in this league, but we must push forward.”

The Lumberjacks will try to get a new winning streak started on Wednesday night when they host the Team USA Under-17 squad at 7:05 p.m. at L.C. Walker Arena.

They will travel to Chicago to play the first-place Steel on Friday, then return home to host the Steel at 7:05 p.m. on Saturday. Wednesday is College Night and $2 Beer, and Saturday night is the annual Teddy Bear Toss.

The Lumberjacks’ offensive production has decreased significantly in November, but it hasn’t been due to a lack of opportunities.

In October, when the Lumberjacks posted a 6-2 record, they averaged 31.4 shots per game. In November that average is virtually the same – 31.3 shots per contest. But a lot fewer shots have been going in the net.

The Lumberjacks scored 37 goals in October in eight games, for an average of 4.6 per game. They have only managed to score 17 goals in November’s seven games, an average of 2.4 per game.

Muskegon has also given up more goals in November than October, despite allowing about the same number of shots per game.

The Lumberjacks allowed 20 goals in October for an average of 2.5 per game. In November they’ve given up 28, for an average of four per contest.

“The team has been giving up too many good chances, and we haven’t converted on ours,” Hamilton said. “We are not going to panic, just continue to work hard.”

The Lumberjacks’ power play unit has taken a dip this month, after going 4-for-23 in October. They have only managed five goals in 36 chances with a skater advantage in November.

“We need to clean some things up on the power play,” the coach said. “It was nice to see us score a couple of power play goals recently, but we need to have more of that.”

Muskegon’s penalty kill has remained solid, allowing just four power play goals in 32 chances in October and five tallies in 33 shorthanded situations in November.

Over the last three games the second period has been a struggle for the Lumberjacks, who have been outscored 7-0.

“We have to figure out why we are struggling during the second period,” Hamilton said. “Is there something we are doing wrong during the intermission? Can we make some adjustments to make it a better period for us?”

Challenging week ahead

Muskegon is now 8-8-1 on the season, good for seventh place in the USHL’s Eastern Conference.

The Chicago Steel lead the conference with 29 points, followed by Dubuque (25), Team USA (22), Cedar Rapids, Green Bay and Youngstown (all tied with 21 points), Muskegon (17) and Madison (5).

The Jacks have had good success so far against the Team USA Under-17 squad, their opponent on Wednesday. They are 2-0 with a 15-5 scoring advantage in those two games.

Muskegon has yet to play the first-place Steel, who have been rolling so far this season. Chicago is 14-3-1 and has all three of the league’s top point producers – Sean Farrell with 28 points (eight goals, 20 assists), Mathieu De St. Phalle with 23 (12 goals, 11 assists) and Sam Colangelo with 23 (11 goals, 12 assists).

The Lumberjacks take on Team USA’s U-17 team Wednesday and the Chicago Steel on Saturday. Wednesday is College Night and $2 Beer, and Saturday night is the annual Teddy Bear Toss. Puck drops at 7:05 PM for both home games.

The Downtown Live Concert Series continues with the “All Holiday Celebration,” featuring Muskegon Community College’s Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble and College Singers, on Monday, Dec. 9, in the Frauenthal Theater, 425 W. Western Ave.

Tickets for the concert, which begins at 7:30 p.m., are $10 for adults and $2 for seniors and students. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are available online at https://startickets.com/events/item/mcc-downtown-live-mcc-holiday-celebration. For more information, contact the MCC Arts and Humanities Department at (231) 777-0324.

Directed by Daniel M. Meyers, the Wind Ensemble will perform:

• Holy Night, Silent Night arr. Clifton Jameson Jones
• Russian Christmas Music by Alfred Reed
• Greensleeves arr. Alfred Reed
• Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24 arr. Bob Phillips and George Megaw

The College Singers, directed by Nicholas Palmer, will sing:

• The Very Best Time Of Year by John Rutter
• Hanerot Halalu arr. Neil Ginsberg
• Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! arr. Mark Hayes
• Snowfall by Claude Thornhilll and Ruth Thornhill
• Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas arr. Tom Fettke and Thomas Grassi

Directed by Patrick Parrish, the Jazz Ensemble will play three selections:

• Holly and Ivy arr. Ryan Fraley
• The Christmas Song arr.  Jerry Nowak
• Africa arr. John Wasson

Lumberjacks take steps toward putting the best team on ice for current season and future

On Monday, the Muskegon Lumberjacks and Omaha Lancers agreed to a five-player trade along with the exchange of five draft picks and two futures players.

In the deal, Muskegon sends to Omaha forward Luke Mobley and defenseman Nash Nienhuis along with futures player Wilson Cullin and a pair of phase 1 and 2 draft picks.

The Lumberjacks receive forwards Rhett Pitlick and Cam Berg as well as defenseman Dylan Davies. Muskegon also receives futures player Tyler Dunbar and three phase 1 and 2 draft picks.

“These are the types of players that will help build championships in Muskegon” said Steve Lowe, Lumberjacks President of Hockey Operations. “Pitlick is one of the most dynamic players in the United States Hockey League, while Berg and Davies bring athleticism to our team.”

Pitlick is a fifth round draft pick of the Montreal Canadians and joins Muskegon with four goals and seven assists through 17 games this season for Omaha. The University of Minnesota commit is also the brother of former Muskegon star forward Rem Pitlick who had 46 goals and 43 assists in the 2015-16 season.

“Having Rhett on the same line with Daniel Gushchin forms one of the best lines in this league,” said Lowe. Pitlick was also named to the U.S. Junior Select Team that will compete in December’s World Junior A Challenge in Dawson Creek, B.C.

Berg arrives in Muskegon with two goals and two assists under his belt with Omaha. The 5-11 left-handed forward is a University of Nebraska – Omaha commit. Davies, a 6-3 defenseman, who will play college hockey for Rensselaer Polytech. Inst., has played in 11 games for the Lancers this season.

“We consider these types of trades significant and are always made with today, tomorrow, and the future in mind,” said Lowe. “The coaching staff and I feel like it’s a great transition adding the type of youth and talent which we’ve acquired in this trade.”

The Lumberjacks take on Team USA’s U-17 team Wednesday and the Chicago Steel on Saturday. Wednesday is College Night and $2 Beer, and Saturday night is the annual Teddy Bear Toss. Puck drops at 7:05 PM for both home games.

Muskegon Lumberjacks is a franchise leader in the USHL

If you are looking for a unique and wild gift this holiday season John Ball Zoo is offering a 10% discount off all levels of their popular memberships beginning on Black Friday, November 29th through December 6th, 2019.

A John Ball Zoo membership is the gift that keeps on giving with unlimited admission to enjoy the Zoo’s amazing family of animals for an entire season. Members can visit as often as they wish and stay for a few hours or the whole day.

Zoo members get more than just free admission, they also get a year of animal-filled news and stories in Zoo News magazine, invites to exclusive members-only events, discounts on special events, birthday parties, and education classes (early registration too), and discounts at the Zoo’s gift shop and on experiences. In addition, members receive free or discounted admission to over 150 Association of Zoos and Aquariums accredited facilities across the country. Current John Ball Zoo members can also get in on the Black Friday sale to renew their memberships at the 10% discount. The membership will be valid a year from when their current membership expires. Plus, by purchasing a John Ball Zoo membership you are supporting the Zoo’s mission to inspire our community to be actively engaged in the conservation of wildlife and our natural environment.

You can find more details and also buy your gift membership by entering the code HOLIDAY online at jbzoo.org/member or by calling (616) 336-431

On November 27, Hello West Michigan and Muskegon Area First will partner to attract talent back to West Michigan. The two organizations, along with regional partners and several local businesses, will host ReThink West Michigan – Muskegon County, an event for casual networking.

On a day when many former Muskegon County residents are back in the area for the Thanksgiving holiday, various Muskegon businesses are coming together to “ReThink” West Michigan. Partners from across the region will host five events in addition to Muskegon, including Hastings, Ludington, Grand Rapids, Oceana, and Fremont.

Designed to be different than a traditional career fair, ReThink West Michigan – Muskegon County provides a casual, professional environment to network and discover many of the great career possibilities and growing companies in the area.

Darryl Todd, Muskegon Area First Director of Talent Initiatives commented, “We encourage all former Muskegon County residents who are interested in returning to the Muskegon area to attend the ReThink event. Muskegon County is growing, development is at an all-time high, and it’s the perfect place to live, work and play.”

Every registered attendee will receive a free drink ticket and have the chance to win prizes. There will also be hors d’oeuvres and other refreshments to ensure an enjoyable experience for all.

The event is free to attend, only requiring interested attendees to register online at rethinkwm.com. Attendees should bring business cards, an elevator pitch, a friend (optional) and a firm handshake. The last five annual events attracted over 800 professionals in total, resulting in over 60 hires. A video summary of the event can be found on youtube.com (https://youtu.be/t5AtVYSxQ7A).

Details on the event:

Date:                     November 27, 2019

Location:             The Block – 360 W. Western Ave. 2nd floor, Muskegon MI 49440 (above Unruly Brewing Co.)

Time:                    5:30 – 8:00 p.m.

Registration:    Register for FREE at rethinkwm.com

This GivingTuesday, the Harbor Hospice Foundation will inspire generosity by sharing awareness of the power of grief support programs through The Bob & Merle Scolnik Healing Center of Harbor Hospice.  Encouraging individuals and businesses to consider supporting this compassionate, healing and important service to patients and families in West Michigan.

“The Scolnik Healing Center is a safe space for those with loss to share the real and raw, connect with others, and access the support that fits their individual journey”, says Amy Geldersma, Social Work & Counseling Services Manager.

GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement, unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and their world. GivingTuesday will kick off the generosity season this year by inspiring people to give back on December 3rd, and throughout the year.

Gifts through the GivingTuesday campaign #GivingAHealingPlace will support the counseling fees for our grief support programs; offered with no cost to anyone needing this service.

“It’s a place where people find support by being able to express and process their grief without judgment”, says Laura Ecker, Bereavement Counselor and Camp Courage Co-Director — “to connect with other grievers who also have had a loss of someone close.”

Those who are interested in joining Harbor Hospice Foundation’s #GivingTuesday initiative can visit www.HarborHospiceMI.org/ways-to-give/givingtuesday/  Harbor Hospice Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) organization created to be the lead fundraising entity for Harbor Hospice.

To learn more about GivingTuesday: please visit www.givingtuesday.org