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| A sea of blond Dutch kids |
The Grand Rapids Bich knew, and the Grand Rapids I know are both similar and different. From her point of view Grand Rapids and her school was a sea of blond. Which to this day is still fairly true, my school happens to be mostly a sea of blond. She mentions that most people in Grand Rapids were Dutch descendants, Christian Reformed, and conservative (most also have ties to Calvin College) that is also fairly true today. She also talks about the DeVos and VanAndel families pouring million of dollars into Grand Rapids. They continue to do so with different hospitals and research centers. She recalls the beginning of the construction of the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel which is still here today and running strong, though they have made some changes. She mentions going to Celebration on the Grand, Festival of the Arts, and the Fourth of July fireworks. Being raised in Grand Rapids I have been to Festival, Fourth of July fireworks, Celebration on the Grand, and the Amway Grand Plaza. The fourth of July fireworks are some of the best fireworks around. Festival and Celebration on the Grand are also really fun to go to and hang out at with all the booths and things. One thing that Grand Rapids has now that wasn't there in Bich's time was Art Prize, which exhibits art people from all around have made. Another fancy hotel has also been added right next to the Amway, the JW Marriott, and is just as luxurious. Although Grand Rapids is still fairly Dutch there also seems to be more diversity and Asian and other ethnic restaurants than she said. Refugees and immigrants have brought their culture to West Michigan. We now have things like Asian schools, Chinese Culture Clubs, the celebration of other cultural holidays, plus many other things. Bich also commented on the people in East Grand Rapids with their big houses and Brady Bunch like families with maids. Much of that seems to be true today. Another thing she comments on is Meijer Thrifty Acres, which is now just Meijers. She went to the one on 28th street which is right by my school. In those times it sold things in bulk which was a new idea. It also sold mainly American food. If you go to Meijer now, you will notice it's just called Meijer, not Meijer Thrifty Acres. There is also an entire section devoted to international food, including some of the food she would have known and loved. I personally like when my mom shops from that section because she brings home lychees and shrimp sticks which taste amazing. Regardless of the time, Grand Rapid is still Grand Rapids even though some things have changed.
The Grand Rapids Bich knew, and the Grand Rapids I know are both similar and different. From her point of view Grand Rapids and her school was a sea of blond. Which to this day is still fairly true, my school happens to be mostly a sea of blond. She mentions that most people in Grand Rapids were Dutch descendants, Christian Reformed, and conservative (most also have ties to Calvin College) that is also fairly true today. She also talks about the DeVos and VanAndel families pouring million of dollars into Grand Rapids. They continue to do so with different hospitals and research centers. She recalls the beginning of the construction of the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel which is still here today and running strong, though they have made some changes. She mentions going to Celebration on the Grand, Festival of the Arts, and the Fourth of July fireworks. Being raised in Grand Rapids I have been to Festival, Fourth of July fireworks, Celebration on the Grand, and the Amway Grand Plaza. The fourth of July fireworks are some of the best fireworks around. Festival and Celebration on the Grand are also really fun to go to and hang out at with all the booths and things. One thing that Grand Rapids has now that wasn't there in Bich's time was Art Prize, which exhibits art people from all around have made. Another fancy hotel has also been added right next to the Amway, the JW Marriott, and is just as luxurious. Although Grand Rapids is still fairly Dutch there also seems to be more diversity and Asian and other ethnic restaurants than she said. Refugees and immigrants have brought their culture to West Michigan. We now have things like Asian schools, Chinese Culture Clubs, the celebration of other cultural holidays, plus many other things. Bich also commented on the people in East Grand Rapids with their big houses and Brady Bunch like families with maids. Much of that seems to be true today. Another thing she comments on is Meijer Thrifty Acres, which is now just Meijers. She went to the one on 28th street which is right by my school. In those times it sold things in bulk which was a new idea. It also sold mainly American food. If you go to Meijer now, you will notice it's just called Meijer, not Meijer Thrifty Acres. There is also an entire section devoted to international food, including some of the food she would have known and loved. I personally like when my mom shops from that section because she brings home lychees and shrimp sticks which taste amazing. Regardless of the time, Grand Rapid is still Grand Rapids even though some things have changed.
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