The steady drizzle and chilling wind of the day had mostly died down by seven o’clock on Wednesday evening, but the cold temperatures persisted, compelling attendants of “Claiming America: Questions of Belonging” to shuffle quickly inside Zeeland’s Howard Miller library. We grabbed our complimentary coffee and settled into our seats, eager to learn more about …
Author Archives: Blogs Administrator
Do What You Love
On a very cold and dreary Saturday morning, the children’s section at Herrick District Library couldn’t have been more full of energy and warmth. Amy Lee-Tai, author of A Place Where Sunflowers Grow, came to delight an audience of almost 100 people with her children’s book inspired by her family’s experience in a Japanese internment …
Who Is My Neighbor?
‘Community’ is a word that easily came to mind on Tuesday afternoon in the Martha Miller Center first floor rotunda. The crisp November wind was just sharp enough to make the walls feel like a reprieve, and the sun poked through windows to illuminate eager participants. Seventy people filled the room, with Hope College faculty …
Japanese Drumming
Hello to everyone participating in the 2017 Holland Area Big Read! I hope everyone is enjoying When the Emperor was Divine and the events that are happening around Holland! Last night’s Big Read event was the Raion Taiko Drumming Performance at Dimnent Chapel, and the six drummers did an outstanding job! I’d never heard of …
This is Why I Do the Big Read
“What was your favorite part of the kick-off event?” As I asked this simple question in my 10th grade English class at West Ottawa High School, hands shot in the air! Each year when my students read the book chosen for Holland’s Big Read, I require that they attend at least one event of their …
The Big Kick-off
This Wednesday was the official kickoff for the 2017 Big Read. The book this year is When the Emperor was Divine, a heartbreaking and endearing story about a family that is forced to live in a Japanese internment camp during WWII. The novel, written by Julie Otsuka, explains the story of her family history and …