Issue 21 | 04.18.2019 | Holland, MI
Holland Weekly Feature Article: Midcentury Holland: Maranatha Church
Holland Weekly Arts: An Interview with Jewelry Designer Christine Bruno
Holland Weekly Shelter Loves: I Am Thor! Hear Me Roar!
Holland Weekly Recipe: Baklava
Holland Weekly Horoscope: Sylvia Reads The Stars
Midcentury Holland: Maranatha Church
By Amber Ebels
April 18, 2019
This is the first in a series of Holland Weekly’s Midcentury Holland articles that feature examples of midcentury modern architecture found in the Holland area. Holland Weekly thanks Amber Ebels, Administrative Assistant at Maranatha Church, for researching and writing the following piece on this iconic building on Holland’s south side.
Russell Lamar was the building contractor, and Kammeraad & Stroop was the architect. A building plan was chosen to include a northern side with a steep sloping wall of wide and high windows to reflect the name of the church: Maranatha, which means “Lord, come quickly!”
The groundbreaking ceremony took place on April 8, 1961, and the building was dedicated on September 6, 1962. A special service for the community was held on Monday, September 7, in which the presentation of the keys were given to the church by the contractor and the architect. Greetings were also received from neighboring churches.
The list of materials is quite extensive. In general, lots of aluminum, asphalt and acoustical tiles, cement plaster, concrete blocks, brick, gypsum plaster, sheet metal, quarry tile, and wood. There were also small amounts of limestone and marble work in the nave.
In the “Long Range Planning and Building Committee” minutes, the majority report advises that they “build a modern type church somewhat along the lines of De Motte [Indiana], Oostburg [Wisconsin], or Beverly” (maybe they’re referring to Beverly Hills, MI?). It was also important to the committee that the building have minimal stairs and be on one level.
The area that they chose to build was booming with new homes and families during this time period.
It was very interesting to go through the archives in search of these items. Most of the information came from the original specification book put together by the architects. I pulled bits and pieces from old newsletters when we had our 50th anniversary celebration as well.
The church is located at 918 Central Avenue, Holland, Michigan 49423. For more information on the church’s history, visit: http://www.maranatha-crc.com/history.
If you have special knowledge of a midcentury modern home or building in the Holland area, please contact us at hollandweekly@gmail.com.
Joining Simplicity with Complexity: An Interview with Jewelry Designer Christine Bruno
By Kathleen Schenck
April 18, 2019
“I’m happiest when my work “speaks” to someone. I feel as if I’ve met a kindred spirit.” – Christine Bruno
What drew you to jewelry and to the materials you choose?
I’ve been making art in some form or another since I was a child. By the time I discovered metal smithing, I’d worked as a graphic designer/illustrator for over three decades. I fell in love with the 3-dimensional aspect of working with metal, particularly sterling silver. All of my jewelry is hand-forged, and every piece is one-of-a-kind. I love to incorporate stones – the ones I find on Lake Michigan beaches, as well as semi-precious stones from around the world. I often use a rolling mill to imprint the sterling silver with patterns and textures.
What’s your design philosophy and what has inspired you?
I find inspiration in everything I see, from modern architecture to the beauty and detail found in nature. My process is intuitive and flexible. After making a series of sketches, I often end up with something very different than what I’d first imagined. To me, joining simplicity with complexity creates a special kind of harmony and balance.
Who would you most like to see wearing your jewelry?
My customers tell me that they appreciate the simplicity and understated quality of my work, and often describe it as unique. I’m happiest when my work “speaks” to someone. I feel as if I’ve met a kindred spirit.
What was your last great find in terms of material?
I just received a box of discarded butterfly wings from an artist friend. My challenge is how to incorporate these wings into jewelry, particularly how to encase them in resin so that it protects yet does not destroy the vibrancy of the colors. I’m so attracted to things I see in nature, such as lichen found in Northern Michigan, as well as birch bark. I recently brought mica home from Maine, as well as lava rock from a recent trip to Iceland.
What’s next? What’s your vision for the future?
I’m currently enjoying the challenge of creating hollow-form pieces. While lightweight, this process adds greater dimension to the design. Also, I’m beginning to use 23K gold leaf and small champagne diamonds to accent the beautiful neutrality of silver. Every piece I make feels like a tiny piece of wearable sculpture, and it’s always a joy to get out to the studio and see where it takes me.
Christine Bruno’s work can be seen on her website, TownHallStudio.com, and she will be at Stop #7 of the Artz and Gardenz Tour.
Adopt a Pupperz
By Kathleen Schenck and Allegan County Animal Shelter
April 18, 2019
Each week Holland Weekly features a local shelter dog who is available for adoption. For more information, and updates on whether or not the dog is still available, please contact the shelter at 269-686-5112.
I am a Jack Russell Terrier & Chihuahua Mix who is…
- Young,
- Male,
- Small,
- White/Cream/Yellow/Tan/Blond/Fawn.
I’m just a pup! I’ve had all my shots and have been neutered, too. I am a super guy. I would like kids in the home to be 8 and up. I don’t mind being around cats and I get along with most dogs! As my name implies, I can shake, rattle and roll! I may be small, but I’m mighty! I will find every chipmunk, every shrew who dare cross your yard. I am Thor! Take me home!
Please contact the Allegan County Animal Shelter operated by the Wishbone Pet Rescue Alliance at 269-686-5112 or come visit me during the shelter hours.
Hope to see you soon.
Authentic Middle Eastern Baklava
By Ala’a Deen Cuisine
April 18, 2019
What perfect timing to feature a Middle Eastern treat for Christians observing Holy Week and Easter. Baklava can be found in modern day Jerusalem among many other places–including West Michigan. This recipe comes to Holland Weekly from a cottage-industry-in-the-making called Ala’a Deen Cuisine in the Zeeland area. The author wishes to remain anonymous until the business is up and running. We are very lucky to have this private recipe shared with us today. Thank you, Ala’a Deen!
Ingredients
One package Philo dough.
40 oz. walnuts, or pistachio
2 sticks of butter or one cup of ghee, melted but not hot.
Quarter cup sugar.
One tablespoon grounded cinnamon.
2 cups sugar.
Half lemon.
1 tablespoon orange blossom water or rose water.
Instructions
2 hours before you make the baklava, make the syrup. Put 2 cups of sugar in a sauce pan on stove then add one cup of water, bring to boil. As soon as the sugar melts add juice of the lemon. When you see foam come out, remove the white foam with a spoon. When the syrup gets the consistency of syrup, remove pan from the stove then add the orange blossom or the rose water, and stir. Leave the syrup to cool down. (The secret for crispy Baklava is that one of these 2 has to be cold and the other one very hot. If the syrup is cold, the baklava has to be hot. If the baklava is cold, the syrup has to be hot.)
Preheat oven to 350 F.
- Put the walnuts in a food processor with the quarter cup of sugar and the cinnamon and pulse. The walnuts should not be grounded very fine; they have to be small chunks. Leave them in a bowl.
- Unwrap the philo dough and cover it with a towel. (The philo sheet dough must be covered always, otherwise the dough sheets will get dry.)
- Brush baking sheet (pan) with melted butter.
- Uncover the philo dough and take one sheet of dough and put it in the baking pan, then cover the rest of the sheets of dough with the towel.
- Brush the sheet dough in the pan with the melted butter.
- Uncover the philo dough and take one sheet and put it on the first sheet in the pan. Cover the rest of the sheet dough.
- Brush the second sheet dough with melted butter.
- Repeat steps 5 and 6 and 7 till the sheets will be 7 sheets in the baking pan.
- Add half of the walnuts mixture on the philo sheet in the baking pan and level it with a spatula.
- Repeat steps 5 and 6 and 7 (twice).
- Add the other half of the walnut mixture to the sheet dough.
- Repeat steps 5 and 6 and 7 with the rest of the philo sheet dough, the upper sheet over the second walnuts mixture has to be 8 or 10 sheets.
- Brush the last sheet with the butter.
- Put the baking pan in the fridge or if it’s cold you can leave it on the table until the butter gets cold. This way it will be easy for you to cut the baklava.
- Cut the baklava with a sharp knife, square shape or diamond shape.
- Put it in the preheated oven at 350 F for 45 minutes, or until it gets brown color on the edges. You can flip the pan after half an hour of the baking.
- After it is done, turn the oven to broil for 2 minutes. Do not leave the oven. Stay near it. As soon as the baklava gets golden in color, take it out of the oven.
- Put the pan on a rack, then pour the cold sugar syrup on the baklava, carefully moving the pan left and right so the syrup will get into each piece of baklava.
Enjoy it.
Sylvia Reads The Stars
Week of April 18, 2019
Aries Mar 20 – Apr 20
Aries, your season is drawing to a close. Two more days…what will you do? My reading of the stars says this full pink moon tomorrow will hold the key to your future: whatever you find yourself doing at the exact moment of fullness, you’ll find yourself doing the rest of the year. Choose wisely.
Taurus Apr 20 – May 21
Professionally speaking, you may find yourself in an interview situation this week. Maybe you’re considering a new gig. Maybe you’re reconsidering your current one. Remember: you are interviewing them, too. And you deserve the best.
Gemini May 21 – Jun 21
Head down and focus, Gemini. This isn’t the time to drift into happy la la land. That’s June. Stay consistent now with your work and your personal affairs. Come the second week of June, you can let your freak flag fly.
Cancer Jun 21 – Jul 23
You know sports betting is legal, right?
Leo Jul 23 – Aug 23
Ever throw a dart at a map? Try throwing a dart in your backyard. Wherever it lands, dig! (After calling Miss Dig first, of course.) I predict you will find something to the effect of polished stone…or a really great spot to plant something you’ve never planted before.
Virgo Aug 23 – Sep 23
Some of the best watchmakers in the world are Virgos, no doubt. Time for you to apply this skill to something that suits you. What’s your equivalent of rebuilding a motorcycle engine in the garage?
Libra Sep 23 – Oct 23
Libra, you will find yourself around loved ones in the next few days. During this time together, you will discover something new about someone you thought you knew too well. Let them know, and let them know how fun it was to learn more about them, too.
Scorpio Oct 23 – Nov 22
My prediction for you this week, Scorp, is you will feel calm when you usually feel anxious, and like lingering when you usually want to skedaddle.
Sagittarius Nov 22 – Dec 23
Sadge, I see retroliciousness in your upcoming days. At some point, something seemingly insignificant will occur that will make you feel like a kid again. Maybe you’ll get on your bike for the first time this year. Maybe someone will tell you something special. Maybe you’ll hear an old song that will make your legs feel as light as a springtime bloom.
Capricorn Dec 23 – Jan 20
Cap! Hold onto your hat! It’s gonna be a beautiful pink moon tomorrow, and you simply have to check it out! What news will it bring? Or is it enough that for the few moments you gaze at the orb you won’t be reading or watching or listening to any news. At all.
Aquarius Jan 20 – Feb 18
My fine, fine Aquarius. We are so fortunate to have you around. Know what? Let me be the first to express my gratitude to you. I predict this week you will hear heartfelt thank you’s galore.
Pisces Feb 18 – Mar 20
Pisces, your gentle toughness is like a spring wind off the lake, blowing away last fall’s leaves. This week I see you dancing in every spare moment–at work, at home, and in between. Don’t hold back.