Life Members

Life Member Program, Don Smucker, Chair, smuckerd@msu.edu

Overview

You will enjoy coming to Grand Rapids, Michigan, and we are ready to welcome you!

The Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, is not a chain hotel, it is unique gem with old world luxury and service and modern elegance. From the ornate beauty of the Pantlind Ballroom to the prestige of the Gerald R. Ford Ballroom with the presidential seal carpet, you’ll be a satisfied guest.

From your room in the Amway Grand Plaza, walk across the pedestrian bridge over the Grand River to the Gerald R. Ford Museum or across the street to the Van Andel Museum. You’ll find this city to be alive with arts, history and beauty.

Michigan itself awaits you. Plan to explore the coastal towns of Lake Michigan or take a 4 hour trip north to famous Mackinac Island where there are no motor vehicles on the island. You can ride a horse-drawn wagon or rent a bicycle to see the Grand Hotel, Fort Mackinac or the many shops.

The NACAA conference offers you a chance to reconnect with old friends, learn about current topics in agriculture or natural resources and hear great speakers. We look forward to welcoming you in Grand Rapids!

Plans for Life Member Program:

• Our committee’s goal is to assure that Life Members and spouses have a Grand Time in Grand Rapids. We are preparing to accommodate the expected 275 members and spouses as they enjoy visiting Michigan and participating in planned activities.

• We are planning to staff Life Member registration with Life Members that are knowledgeable of the program and registration process and opportunities to participate in additional activities in the area and state.

• The Amway Grand Plaza Hotel will be the Life Member Headquarters Hotel in addition to the Conference Headquarters Hotel. All activities for life members are scheduled either in the Grand Plaza, or departing from it or in DeVos Place, attached to the Grand Plaza Hotel.

• Our hospitality room has been located in the Emerald B room, which is on the same level as registration and the walkway to the DeVos Center that will make access easy for Life Members. We are planning hospitality together with member spouses. Life Members will be hosting our guests during hours that will give them an available place for refreshments and visiting when they will be in the Grand Plaza area. The room will be open Saturday afternoon, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday afternoon, and Thursday. Some special Michigan gifts and treats are being prepared for their enjoyment.

• The Life Member business meeting is scheduled for 1:30 Monday afternoon. Fr. Stephen Dudek, of Grand Rapids, brother of Michigan Agent Tom Dudek will perform the memorial service. We are working with Life Member Chair Hal Tatum to plan details of the meeting.

• The Life Member’s breakfast is planned for 7:00 Tuesday morning. Members will be enjoying the Grand Plaza’s Deluxe Breakfast Buffet served in the Pantlind Ballroom which is a beautiful place to dine as well as providing an easy move to the area where busses will be loading for tours. Participants will enjoy Abraham Lincoln who will be portrayed by retired Michigan Extension agent Joseph W. (Bill) Ames. Bill has been bringing Lincoln to life for adults, youth and children since the 1980’s.

• After breakfast Life Members will participate in the following tours:

Gardens, Gardens, Gardens will visit the Fredrick Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park, which includes world-class sculptures and the largest tropical conservatory in Michigan. A tour of the Kent County MSU Extension demonstration gardens and visits to three outstanding residential gardens complete the tour.

The Dutch Heritage tour will celebrate the heritage of many settlers in nearby Holland. Visitors can enjoy quaint cafes, a Victorian-styled downtown, a wooden shoe factory, and tulip farms.

Michigan’s Ag Diversity will offer a glimpse of Ottawa County agriculture, including trips to a celery field, a soybean processing plant, perennial flower producer and a blueberry field.

The Lakeshore - Grand Haven half day tour heads to the lakeshore to enjoy clear blue skies and sparkling waters. Participants will ride the trolley, walk along the boardwalk and pier, and visit picturesque shops and boutiques.

Great Lakes Maritime Heritage is a trip to the Michigan Maritime Museum in South Haven. Five separate buildings offer exhibits on Michigan maritime history, a center for teaching boatbuilding and maritime skills as well as a regionally renowned research library.

Historic Homes in Grand Rapids is a half day tour to one of the largest urban historical districts in the country. Heritage Hill’s 1,300 homes date from 1848 and represent more than 60 architectural styles. Stops include the Meyer May house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and the Voight House Victorian Museum, a gabled French chateau-style home.

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