Features

Sept. 18, 2005
Mt. Baldhead Run
By JOHN CHARLES ROBBINS
Staff writer
To conquer the stairs of Mount Baldhead during the annual 15K run is to know a new and profound level of pain.
It's no stairway to heaven.
Grueling torture, the runners will tell you -- after the cattle prod stitch in their side eases up.

July 9, 2006
Douglas Dutchers
By JOHN CHARLES ROBBINS
Staff writer
No gloves.
That's the first thing you notice about watching vintage base ball players in action, as you grimace at the sound of the ball smacking the palms of the brave man at second base.
That hard line drive is gonna hurt in the morning, yes sir, but that's part of the fun of playing 1800s style ball.
Back then they called it "base ball," two words. And playing was more important than winning.

July 23, 2006
Tractor Show
By JOHN CHARLES ROBBINS
Staff writer
With an over-sized John Deere cap backwards on his head, 5-year-old Jacob Berkenpas gripped the side of a rusty red trailer, mesmerized by the waterfall of grain filling its belly.
As an antique threshing machine whirred and hummed, Jacob was having a blast, shouting over the music of the machinery.
"Come up here, Dad!"

July 26, 2006
Bike To Work
By JOHN CHARLES ROBBINS
Staff writer
Riding your bike to work is like taking a little vacation every day.
That's how die-hard commuter Bruce Bos of Park Township describes the non-motorized practice.
And on top of the obvious benefits, biking to work will save you money -- increasingly more important in these days when one gallon of gasoline sets you back more than $3.00.

Jan.26, 2003
Richard Simmons
By JOHN CHARLES ROBBINS
Staff writer
Glitter-spangled fitness guru Richard Simmons brought his high-octane sweatfest to the Holland area Saturday, literally kicking off Holland Community Hospital's 2003 Project LIFT.
"Do you want it!" Simmons screamed into the microphone as he danced on a stage to a thunderous cha-cha-cha soundtrack in the gymnasium at Zeeland East High School.

Aug. 25, 2003
Taste of Saugatuck
By JOHN CHARLES ROBBINS
Staff writer
"Fire in the hole," shouted chef David Barton as he produced a flash of flame to warm two wedges of hard Kasseri cheese.
Barton was kept busy Sunday preparing endless servings of Saganaki, a classic Greek appetizer, as part of the 16th annual Taste of Saugatuck.

Saturday, May 13, 2006
Talk of the Town
By JOHN CHARLES ROBBINS
Staff writer
Loud and proud and boisterous they came
A flock of town criers with champion their aim
They rang and they cried, not one the same
As they projected and called out, for Tulip Time fame ...