Caledonia Michigan ~ New Library Rising

Posted on July 28, 2010 by Terry & Bonnie

“Books are the carriers of civilization. Without books, history is silent,

literature dumb, science crippled, thought and speculation at a

standstill.” Henry David Thoreau

Caledonia Michigan is investing in the community by building a new

library. Libraries have become social centers for communities

by offering lots of programs for children and adults. I can’t think of

a better way to foster a sense of community than through a library.

The new Caledonia Library is scheduled to open in January 2011.

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The authors of the this blog write about Grand Rapids Real Estate, the

Greater Grand Rapids MI area, and what it is like to live in West Michigan.

Grand Rapids Michigan is a vibrant, growing metropolitan area with a diverse

business community, great medical research & services, numerous universities,

plus lively arts and entertainment of all kinds.

We believe: Grand Rapids is a Great Place to Live!

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry 616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM

Foto Friday – Tale of Two Towers in Grand Rapids MI

Posted on July 23, 2010 by Terry & Bonnie

Foto Friday – Tale of Two Towers in Grand Rapids MI

Tale of Two Towers in Grand Rapids Michigan

Grand Rapids has seen substantial growth in our city in the past 100 years.

This photo of the old train watch tower on the West Side with the JW Marriott tower in the

background shows old and new construction in our city. One hundred years ago, the train

watch tower was an essential part of the transportation grid in Grand Rapids, then a major

hub for train traffic and one of the major employers in the area.

Now, the JW Marriott luxury hotel tower tells a different transportation story.

Grand Rapids is host to many national and international travelers who are used to traveling

in style. Our city employs many people in the hospitality business to cater to their needs.

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The authors of the this blog write about Grand Rapids Real Estate, the Greater

Grand Rapids MI area, and what it is like to live in West Michigan. Grand Rapids

Michigan is a vibrant, growing metropolitan area with a diverse business community,

great medical research & services, numerous universities, plus lively arts and

entertainment of all kinds.

We believe: Grand Rapids is a Great Place to Live!

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry 616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM

Foto Friday – Just My Size!

Posted on July 16, 2010 by Terry & Bonnie

When we spotted this adorable boat in Suttons Bay harbor, we had to take

a photo. This boat is just my size!

Share this post :

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The authors of the this blog write about Grand Rapids Real Estate, the Greater

Grand Rapids MI area, and what it is like to live in West Michigan. Grand Rapids

Michigan is a vibrant, growing metropolitan area with a diverse business community,

great medical research & services, numerous universities, plus lively arts and

entertainment of all kinds.

We believe: Grand Rapids is a Great Place to Live!

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry 616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM

Michigan Day Trippers – Saugatuck Michigan

Posted on July 15, 2010 by Terry & Bonnie

Michigan Day Trippers – Saugatuck Michigan

This issue of our Michigan Day Trippers is about Saugatuck, Michigan.

If you haven’t made a visit to the quaint and historic village of Saugatuck,

you are missing an experience. Saugatuck is a popular resort and shopping

destination since the late 1800s. Saugatuck has a small town feeling,

interesting architecture, an active artist community, unique shops, and

all within walking distance. You can play golf, lay on the beach, go sailing

or just walk around town and enjoy the atmosphere.

Saugatuck hasn’t been “malled.” The restaurants and local pubs serve up

great fare, whether you want a cup of soup, a full course dinner, or just

want some ice cream to wash down that fudge.

The authors of the this blog write about Grand Rapids Real Estate, the Greater

Grand Rapids MI area, and what it is like to live in West Michigan. Grand Rapids

Michigan is a vibrant, growing metropolitan area with a diverse business community,

great medical research & services, numerous universities, plus lively arts and entertainment

of all kinds.

We believe: Grand Rapids is a Great Place to Live!

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry 616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM

West Michigan Living – A Perfect First Day of Summer

Posted on June 24, 2010 by Terry & Bonnie

It doesn’t get much better than this. A perfect day on Glen Lake in northern

Michigan. Just over the dune in the distance is Lake Michigan, which provided

our fresh grilled whitefish for supper.

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The authors of the this blog write about Grand Rapids Real Estate, the

Greater Grand Rapids MI area, and what it is like to live in West Michigan.

Grand Rapids Michigan is a vibrant, growing metropolitan area with a diverse

business community, great medical research & services, numerous universities,

plus lively arts and entertainment of all kinds.

We believe: Grand Rapids is a Great Place to Live!

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry 616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM

Horrocks Market Kentwood Michigan – Visit Spring!

Posted on June 15, 2010 by Terry & Bonnie

Horrocks Market is like a visit to spring time in Kentwood

by Bonnie and Terry Westbrook

Take a moment and let’s look at what they have to offer:

Fresh Flowers, Fresh Vegetables & Fruits, Meats & Dairy, Deli, Garden & Homes Supplies,

Pet Supplies, Gifts & Home Accessories, Floral for Weddings, and a Book & Candy Corner.

In the spring & summer they have outdoor plants and trees for your garden and yard.

orth a visit any time of year, but especially in the dead of winter.

shamrocks

Horrock’s Market is located at 4455 Breton Road at the intersection

of 44th St and Breton in Kentwood, Michigan. The glass green house soars into

the sky and it is easy to spot just south of 44th Street.

Horrocks Market Kentwood MI

Horrocks Market Display

The array of fresh flowers, fresh fruits and vegetables is impressive. They always have weekly

specials on some items of their produce. It is hard to resist bringing it all home, it looks so delicious.

Here are a few photos that tell the story better than I could:

Horrocks Market cyclamens

Horrocks Market Vegetable Case

gerbera daisy

These exotic vegetables are always intriguing, we tried the Blue Peruvian Potatoes

on the far right – tasty but odd to see purply-blue potatoes on your plate.

We skipped the eco malanga on the left, not knowing what it is and how to use it.

Maybe next time we are at Horrocks in Kentwood, after we do a little veggie research.

Horrocks Market potatoes

photos by Bonnie Westbrook

I have received no remuneration or compensation for my advertising and testimonial

of Horrock’s Market on my blog.

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The authors of the this blog write about Grand Rapids Real Estate, the Greater

Grand Rapids MI area, and what it is like to live in West Michigan.

Grand Rapids Michigan is a vibrant, growing metropolitan area with a diverse

business community, great medical research & services, numerous universities,

plus lively arts and entertainment of all kinds.

We believe: Grand Rapids is a Great Place to Live!

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry 616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM

Old or New – Michigan Attractions are Unique

Posted on February 7, 2010 by Terry & Bonnie

Old or New – Michigan Attractions are Unique

We all like to take a stroll down memory lane.

This video shows Michigan back before our childhood days. It was filmed

in 1949 as part of James A. Fitzpatrick’s Travel Talks. Take a look at our

bathing beauties, the “Bear Man” and our stunning Michigan scenery.

The areas shown have grown and changed but the appeal of

Michigan is still being promoted to tourists today. And they come by

the thousands to see our unique treasures, such as Sleeping Bear Dunes

on Lake Michigan. This area is now a National Park and dune buggies

are prohibited on the fragile dune landscape.

Mackinaw Island has attracted people since early times, the original

residents here in Michigan; the Ojibiwa, the French, the English, and

tourists have been coming here since Victorian times.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMR7veI78f8]

Thanks for visiting with us in Michigan along this vintage highway

to the past. We hope you decide to visit us in person real soon.

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The authors of the this blog write about Grand Rapids Real Estate,

the Greater Grand Rapids MI area, and what it is like to live in West

Michigan. Grand Rapids Michigan is a vibrant, growing metropolitan

area with a diverse business community, great medical research & services,

numerous universities,plus lively arts and entertainment of all kinds.

We believe: Grand Rapids is a Great Place to Live!

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry 616-292-7263

Grand Rapids Michigan Holiday Traditions

Posted on December 21, 2009 by Terry & Bonnie

Grand Rapids Michigan Holiday Traditions

Holiday traditions to celebrate the winter solstice are common

to every culture around the world. The transition from the shortest,

darkest day in mid-winter to the longest day of light at the beginning

of summer are a common theme to our world.

Frederick Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids

celebrates the light by showing the traditions of many countries

and cultures around the world. Besides the forty one gorgeous

Christmas Trees that are decorated as they would be in their native

regions, they also display Kwanza, Jewish, and Buddhist traditional

decorations. New this year is Tet Nguyen Dan, the Vietnamese

celebration of the lunar New Year; pronounced day wen don,

it literally means, “the first morning of the first day.”

Meijer Gardens is celebrating the completion of a $7.6 million

renovation and expansion that was awarded a silver level LEED

certificate in energy and environmental design. The renovation

and expansion was centered around the cafe, visitor areas, office

and storage spaces. The new cafe has a stunning Dale Chihuly

blown glass sculpture of colored glass flowers hanging from

the ceiling.

We have put together a few photos we took at the gardens

recently, so you can see some of the holiday decorations from

near and far. The gorgeous Christmas trees are all 12-15 feet tall

and loaded with beautiful ornaments. This is just a sampling of the

Christmas Traditions displayed here:

[slideshow id=2594073385393193256&w=500&h=375]

Our Holiday Wishes for Peace & Goodwill to all of you!

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The authors of the this blog write about Grand Rapids Real Estate,

the Greater Grand Rapids MI area, and what it is like to live in West

Michigan. Grand Rapids Michigan is a vibrant, growing metropolitan

area with a diverse business community, great medical research & services,

numerous universities, plus lively arts and entertainment of all kinds.

We believe: Grand Rapids is a Great Place to Live!

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry 616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM

Winter at Frederick Meijer Gardens Sculpture Park Grand Rapids Michigan

Posted on December 14, 2009 by Terry & Bonnie

Winter at Frederick Meijer Gardens Sculpture Park Grand Rapids Michigan

We invite you to visit our world famous Frederick Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan. We will share our recent snowy winter scenes with you. It usually doesn’t look like this until January or February, but it certainly is getting us in the Holiday mood. This is just a sampling of the 200+ sculptures that are here at the park permanently.

If you get a chance to visit Grand Rapids, don’t miss the Frederick Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park. Former President Jimmy Carter called it a “National Treasure.” We would love to have you come for a visit and see for yourself.

More photos of Meijer Gardens

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The authors of the this blog write about Grand Rapids Real Estate,

the Greater Grand Rapids MI area, and what it is like to live in West

Michigan. Grand Rapids Michigan is a vibrant, growing metropolitan

area with a diverse business community, great medical research & services,

numerous universities, plus lively arts and entertainment of all kinds.

We believe: Grand Rapids is a Great Place to Live!

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry 616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM

Grand Rapids Michigan is Snoooooow Fun!

Posted on December 6, 2009 by Terry & Bonnie

Grand Rapids Michigan is Snoooooow Fun!

If life gives you lemons…make lemonade. Well, the residents of Grand

Rapids Michigan don’t need lemonade lessons or snow fun lessons, either.

With the surprise snowfall of about 10 inches and a couple more inches added

yesterday, we have SNOW!! When you put kids & a day off school together,

you get lots of Snow Fun!!

The best sledding hills are where you find them…this one is on a nearby

church backyard.

Lots of energy is being spent here, the low carbon emission type,

perfect for that hot cocoa remedy for cold hands, feet, and faces.

When the uphill climb gets slower and slower, it is a sure signal that it is

time to pack up your gear and head home.

A neighbor made this impromptu snowman. I love the innovative

hat.

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The authors of the this blog write about Grand Rapids Real Estate,

the Greater Grand Rapids MI area, and what it is like to live in

West Michigan. Grand Rapids Michigan is a vibrant, growing

metropolitan area with a diverse business community, great medical

research & services, numerous universities, plus lively arts and

entertainment of all kinds.

We believe: Grand Rapids is a Great Place to Live!

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry 616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM

Grand Rapids Real Estate

Grand Rapids Real Estate Information

Category Archives: West Michigan Photos

Caledonia Michigan ~ New Library Rising

Foto Friday – Tale of Two Towers in Grand Rapids MI

Foto Friday – Tale of Two Towers in Grand Rapids MI

Tale of Two Towers in Grand Rapids Michigan

Foto Friday – Just My Size!

Michigan Day Trippers – Saugatuck Michigan

West Michigan Living – A Perfect First Day of Summer

Horrocks Market Kentwood Michigan – Visit Spring!

Old or New – Michigan Attractions are Unique

Old or New – Michigan Attractions are Unique

Grand Rapids Michigan Holiday Traditions

Grand Rapids Michigan Holiday Traditions

Winter at Frederick Meijer Gardens Sculpture Park Grand Rapids Michigan

Grand Rapids Michigan is Snoooooow Fun!

Grand Rapids Michigan is Snoooooow Fun!