It's not often I use Positively Muskegon to editorialize, but as we've completed 10 years of Dancing With the Local Stars, I've kind of been thinking it was time to say a little something from someone who's never been a part of it, never actually been able to go to a show or really had anything more to do with it than lend a little hand helping promote the event and the reason it happens.
From an observers stand point, I have to tell you what an amazing source of pride I get knowing that this event has flourished the way it has in Muskegon. More often than not, Muskegon is seen as "that city" in West Michigan. We who live here know the real story, and we've all worked very hard to change that image and mindset. Here at Positively Muskegon, we've worked to not only change that image outside of our own area, we've worked pretty hard to change the minds of the people right here in Muskegon. Our projects, big and small all equal up to what makes our community thrive. We've got grand affairs like Dancing With the Local Stars and we've got those who do things like put on bake sales, church rummages...kids activities....city parties. We've got amazing community organizers who face adversity and work for unity in the community and we've got people who refuse to see lines on maps as to where one neighborhood begins and one ends. We are a hands on community and when the time comes...everyone finds a way to pitch in. It never fails.
As for celebrity. Well...now, that's a stretch. I bet if you took a camera out on a street corner and asked 50 people who Muskegon's "celebrities" are, there would be a lot of head scratching. I bet, if you asked even some of those who are thought of as the celebrities...who the celebrities are...they too would have a puzzled look on their face. That to me is one of the greatest things about Muskegon. We might be a little short on "celebrity" but....we have Judges like Brenda Sprader and Annette Smedly....we've got Sheriff Michael Poulin.....we've got fitness expert Becky Biesiada....we've got Dale Nesbary of Muskegon Community College...John Felske....Fire Chief Bob Gagnon, Mayor Gary Nuelund..... Karen Buie....Matt Schmitt...Mary Switzer...DJ Hilson.....Frank Peterson...Tim Lopez...Christina Fetcher.....the list goes on and on. I don't think any of them would wake up in the morning and say "Well, another day in the life of a celebrity" but every one of them know that there are people here in Muskegon who would go hungry without their effforts, so for half the year...they spend their free time preparing for the modern day version of our "Town Follies" and they do it because they know it's their give back to our great community. Of the "Town Follies" comment...I say it with nothing but love and years of lasting proof that in any town....there is enough talent and drive to accomplish amazing things among those who just do a tiny bit more than the day in and day out of their daily life.
As I write this, the final two performances of Dancing With the Local Stars are only a few hours off. Months of preparation and practice will be complete. Food pantries will be the recipient of the abundance, Muskegon will have been entertained and we will have proven once again that nothing or no one stands in the way of us accomplishing what needs to be done to take care of our most vulnerable in Muskegon. Those who know food insecurity and those who have seen first hand the effects that hunger levies on the people of this or any area.
My sincere respect to the Women's Division Chamber of Commerce, the cast of Dancing With the Local Stars and all who have been involved in making this event larger than life while maintaining a small town feel and making Muskegon a place I am so proud to call home. Truly...a blessing in our community. Time to take a bow.
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