Grand rising, West Michigan. It may not feel like it yet but happy first day of spring! I think most of us can agree that we’re ready for some sunshine and warmer weather 🌞 

In today’s Lakeshore Current:

• Rookie Of The Year 🐕️ 

• Oberon Light 🍺 

• Beach Wheelchairs ♿️ 

Let’s dive in

— Courtland Stansberry

THE DIGEST

Michigan Native Earns “Rookie Of The Year”

Samantha LaLonde, a 29-year-old Michigan native, earned the "Rookie of the Year" title after finishing 15th in the 53rd Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, completing the course in 12 days, 14 hours, and 20 minutes with her team of nine dogs. Originally from Farmington Hills, LaLonde now resides in Fairbanks, Alaska, and has been involved with the Iditarod since 2021, initially assisting another musher. In 2024, she trained dogs for that year's champion, Dallas Seavey. LaLonde's passion for mushing began at Northern Michigan University when she volunteered at the UP 200 sled dog race. To qualify for the Iditarod, she competed in several other races, including the Willow 300 and Yukon Quest 300. This year's Iditarod winner was Jesse Holmes, known from the reality show "Life Below Zero," who completed the race in 10 days, 14 hours, and 55 minutes. The race spanned 1,129 miles due to route changes.

Summer Preview With The Farmer’s Almanac

As summer approaches, the Farmer’s Almanac offers an extended forecast for those planning outdoor activities like Fourth of July parties, camping trips, and beach days. It predicts record-breaking temperatures and near-average rainfall across much of the U.S.

Summer officially begins on June 20 and is expected to start with unsettled and stormy weather, particularly in Michigan and the Midwest, which will experience a “sultry, thunder-filled” season. By July, heat will intensify, with many areas facing above-average temperatures and the possibility of breaking long-standing heat records.

South Haven Adds 2 New Beach Wheelchairs

South Haven is enhancing accessibility at its Lake Michigan waterfront through a new grant program and equipment donations. In 2024, the beach town attracted 2.6 million visitors, including approximately 158,000 individuals with travel-limiting disabilities. To address this, two beach wheelchairs will be available for free rental at city beaches via SOHA Surf Shop. Jen Sistrunk, Executive Director of Visit South Haven, emphasized that access to the beach should be a right for all. With 184,000 visitors to South Beach, over 11,000 may have faced accessibility challenges. Additionally, the Visit South Haven Accessibility Grant Program will offer matching grants of up to $5,000 to nonprofits for projects that improve visitor accessibility, such as ramps and sensory-friendly initiatives. Applications are open until April 30. Funded primarily by lodging assessments, the South Haven Visitors Bureau has allocated $130,000 this year to ensure the community is welcoming to everyone.

Local Business

Holland has 4 Restaurants Close In One Week

In early March, Holland faced local unrest as four restaurants closed: Gateway Mission’s The Spoon, On the Border, Good Earth Café, and Dickey's Barbecue. The Sentinel reported additional closures in 2024, highlighting challenges like rising costs, staffing issues, and shifting consumer habits. Jodi Owczarski of the West Coast Chamber of Commerce noted that many restaurants struggle under these pressures. Karin Sisson, who rebranded her restaurant to Tell Tales Trattoria, emphasized the difficulty of rising food costs and competition for staff. Owczarski urged the community to support small businesses as they navigate these tough times.

Oberon Set To Release New Light Version

Oberon fans can look forward to Oberon Light, a lighter version of Bell's Brewery's popular beer, set to debut on March 24 during the annual Oberon Day celebrations in Kalamazoo. Oberon Light contains only 99 calories and has a 4% ABV, compared to the original's 187 calories and 5.8% ABV, while maintaining the signature citrusy flavor. Available in 6- and 12-packs, this refreshing wheat ale marks the unofficial start of summer. Bell’s Brewery encourages fans to enjoy the taste of summer with their iconic “sunshine in a glass.”

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WHAT’S HAPPENIN

MUSKEGON

Thursday - Wonderland Distillery - Trivia Night 7pm

Hot Rod Harley-Davidson - Indoor Cornhole 6:30-9pm

Happy Hour at the Art Museum 4-7:30pm

Friday - Lotus Room - Comedy Night 9pm

Frauenthal Center - Big Daddy Fox 7-10pm

Trinity Health Arena - Muskegon Lumberjacks Hockey vs. Green Bay Gamblers 6pm

Pigeon Hill Brewing - Anniversary Party 7-10pm

Saturday - Winter Farmers Market 9am-2pm

VanDyke Convention - MuskeCon: The Ultimate Comic & Toy Convention 10am-5pm

Pigeon Hill Brewing - Anniversary Party 7-10pm

Trinity Health Arena - Muskegon Lumberjacks Hockey vs. Green Bay Gamblers 6pm

Sunday - Pigeon Hill - Euchre Sundays 2pm

Trinity Health Arena - Muskegon Lumberjacks Hockey vs. Green Bay Gamblers 2pm

Monday - Pigeon Hill - Trivia Night 7pm

GRAND HAVEN

Thursday- Grand Armory Live Music 6:30pm

Lucy’s Ladies Night

Kirby - Music Bingo 6pm

Friday- Odd Side Live Music 8pm

Hemlock Crossing Park - Equinox Expedition 7-8:30pm

Saturday- Loutit District Library - Morning Meditation Meet-up 10:15-11:15am

Kirby - Margarita Mix Competition 12-5pm

Sunday - Odd Side Ales - The Sunday Shakedown 5-7:30pm

Monday - Odd side - Pub Trivia Night

HOLLAND

Thursday - Curragh Irish Pub - Trivia Night 8pm

Friday - Holland Civic Center Place - Spring 2025 Expo 4-8pm

Saturday - Holland Farmers Market 9am-1pm

Holland Civic Center Place - Spring 2025 Expo 8am-4pm

Sunday - New Holland Brewing - Trivia Night 6pm

WEATHER

Thursday

39 🌡️ 32 | 🌨️ |

Friday

50 🌡️ 30 | ☁️ |

Saturday

35🌡️ 27 | ⛅️ |

Sunday

44 🌡️ 34 | 🌧️ |

Monday

39 🌡️ 28 | ☁️ |

LIVE MUSIC

Thursday

Grand Armory I Park Road Revival I 6:30pm

Sandy Point I BPM Jazz I 6pm

Friday

The Block I Tony Monaco Trio: Organ Jazz I 7:30pm

Grand Armory I Crazy Hearse - A Neil Young Tribute I 6:30pm

Odd Side Ales I Big Nick and The Rhythm Kings I 9pm

Off The Chain I Nate Walton I 6pm

Park Theatre I Meetloaf "A Tribute to Meatloaf" I 8pm

Itty Bitty Bar I Two Beers In I 9pm

Wicks Park Bar & Grille I Drew Behringer I 7pm

Saturday

Grand Armory I Simply in Time I 6:30pm

Lucy’s I Nate Dill I 6pm

Off The Chain I Kyle Brown I 6pm

Kirby I Klay N The Mudd I 9pm

Park Theatre I Fleatwood Mac "A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac" I 8pm

Itty Bitty Bar I JP & The Energy I 9pm

Wicks Park Bar & Grille I Wealthy Soul I 7pm

Sunday

Odd side Ales I Scott Pellegrom I 5pm

Sandy Point I Randy Heidema I 5pm

THANKS!

Thanks for reading Lakeshore Current today. If you found something useful, please share with someone who is going on spring break

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