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Hello Holland! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning.
In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Dr. Derick Johnson’s 2,000th robotic knee replacement, ice rinks under new ownership, and a high school fire academy + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Holland protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.
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📰 In the news
Leadership in advanced joint care: Dr. Derick Johnson at Holland Hospital reached his 2,000th robotic-assisted knee replacement, a local milestone. He is West Michigan’s first Mako-certified for partial and total knees, helping neighbors move again — read the full story.
New era for local rinks: Griff’s IceHouse West in Holland and Georgetown Ice Arena in Hudsonville were sold to Black Bear Sports Group, and major repairs, new names, and multi-million dollar upgrades are expected — see what’s planned under new ownership.
Cultivating next-generation first responders: Facing a firefighter shortage, Hudsonville has partnered with Careerline Tech Center on a high school fire academy. The department has 16 firefighters and aims for 20 to 22 — learn how the academy works.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
Highlights this week:
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💎 Local business spotlight
Bake-at-home pie fix: When a craving hits, Old Bell Bakery has scratch-made fruit pies like Dutch apple, cherry crumble, and blueberry crumble. Slide one into the oven for that whole-house smell and a golden crust. Minimal effort, maximum cozy, just right for weeknights in Holland.
Spruce up the week: Glenda’s Lakewood Flowers creates fresh, modern arrangements and plant-y pick‑me‑ups, crafted by designers who listen. With easy local delivery and thoughtful custom pieces, it’s simple to brighten a room or a day without the fuss.
Get a fresh grip: Shift Climbing runs a thoughtful circuit system that keeps sessions focused, plus classes, youth programs, and yoga for a reset. A fresh routine fits easily into the week, where climbs flow and forearms end up pleasantly tired.
These aren’t ads or sponsored placements, just some cool nearby spots we think are worth a visit.
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🫶 We got your back
Your data is for sale right now: There are over 400 websites selling your info to marketers, political campaigns, and scammers. They’ve got your phone number, home address, relatives’ names… you name it. That’s how robocallers seem to know everything about you before you pick up. You can remove your info one site at a time, or pay a service to do it for you. Here’s what we recommend →
Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared three programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →
What doctors wish every 65+ adult had at home: Physicians call it “long-lie,” and it’s the real reason falls are so dangerous for older adults. It’s not a broken bone… it’s lying on the floor for hours waiting for someone to notice. We dug into the options that actually solve this problem, and one stood out. See which one →
Thinning hair? It only gets worse: A few months ago, I noticed my ponytail getting thinner. I tried the usual stuff (biotin, shampoo, etc.) but mostly just hoped it would fix itself… until I learned that active follicles can permanently go dormant if you don’t do something about it. The good news? You can get treatment that actually works with no office visits or trips to the pharmacy. Check out my favorite online options →
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📆 Fun for the whole fam
Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
🐕 Meet the Hunting Breeds @ DeVos Place (Grand Rapids) | Thursday (3/12) at 12:00 AM – Field season vibes call for a meet-and-greet with the real athletes, the Sporting and Hound crowd, at DeVos Place’s Ultimate Sport Show. Bring your well-mannered pros to represent your program, talk bloodlines, and charm the locals. Ping Carol Lynn Johnson to sign up.
🏎 Annual Pinewood Derby & BBQ Dinner @ The Foundation Church | Friday (3/13) at 6:30 PM – Friday night in Holland means tiny cars, big bragging rights, and BBQ. No pit crew required. The Foundation Church hosts a free pinewood derby with awards for speed and style, family-friendly vibes, and hearty fellowship, so bring the kids, an appetite, and your cheering voice.
👪 Family Day @ Holland Civic Center Place | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 AM – Let the kids trade tablets for tool belts at the Lakeshore HBA Home Show’s Family Day, where they try trades, snag a building kit, and clamber on big rigs outside. Plus storytime, a photo op, an Urban Air door prize, and Parda’s first-100-kids savings perk.
💦 Super Splash @ Holland Aquatic Center | Saturday (3/14) at 12:00 PM – Super Splash in Holland packs Splash Zone with slide, lazy river, and play structures, plus a 50-meter pool with toys, an obstacle course, and a diving board. Let the kids burn energy while you float, then decide if it’s a cannonball day, or toe-dip day.
🔭 Astronomy Programs @ Hemlock Crossing County Park (West Olive) | Saturday (3/14) at 7:00 PM – Trade your porch light for starlight with the Shoreline Amateur Astronomical Association, a talk in the Nature Center followed by telescope time if the clouds cooperate. Expect rotating topics like the life cycle of stars, life beyond Earth, the Sun, and who named Jupiter’s moons.
🎤 Open Mic Jr. @ Park Theatre | Sunday (3/15) at 5:30 PM – Holland’s historic Park Theatre is handing the mic to kids and teens, and honestly, it’s the most wholesome chaos you’ll cheer for. Expect music, jokes, poetry, and big feelings, plus pizza, popcorn, and soft pretzels. Spectators welcome, beginners encouraged, cover is a painless three bucks.
🌿 Tuned into Nature @ Hemlock Crossing County Park (West Olive) | Wednesday (3/18) at 9:30 AM – Bring your tiny trailblazer, ages 2-4, and be the favorite grown-up as you sing, dance, and explore a nature theme. Caregiver attends and is included in the fee, with music, a quick nature walk, and cardio you can sing to; registration required at miottawa.org/OCPevents.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Holland report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 47°F – Low: 29°F – Precip: 89%
Showers and thunderstorms before 5pm, then snow showers likely. Cloudy. High near 47, with temperatures falling to around 37 in the afternoon. North northwest wind 5 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Later: Snow showers likely before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29. Northwest wind 9 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
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Tomorrow – High: 40°F – Low: 35°F – Precip: 4%
Sunny, with a high near 40. West wind 6 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Later: Rain showers after 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35. South southwest wind 6 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 39 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
This house is wild
Set in Lawndale/Elmdale Southside, this two-story blends timeless charm with smart function. A sun-drenched living room with fireplace, formal dining, and wood-floored kitchen shine. Four bedrooms and two full baths crown the second level. The walkout lower level adds a cozy family room, storage beneath the garage, and a half bath. Rock steps reveal a tree-lined patio with outdoor fireplace.
Take a peek inside →
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