Hello Holland! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Adult market school, Puppet palooza, and world’s largest swimming lesson + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Adult learning at the market: Holland Farmers Market introduced Market School for adults, with classes June through September. First up, beekeeping with the Holland Area Beekeeping Association this Saturday, June 27 at 10 a.m., $20 -- see the full class lineup.
Housing efforts take shape: Affordable housing was spotlighted last week in Holland as Kollen Park-Hope Housing targeted 52 homes, and partners canceled a Lakeshore Habitat letter of credit tied to the Vista Green project -- see the housing plans.
Local groups join forces: Eight organizations united under Project Home to tackle homelessness in Ottawa County. With 316 unsheltered, the coalition expanded Eastport Men's Center and started construction on a new Community Resource Hub -- explore Project Home.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
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02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Instant fun fix: If your week needs a little adrenaline and a lot of giggles, Craig's Cruisers has go-karts, mini golf, bumper boats, batting cages, and an arcade, perfect for burning off kid energy or settling long-simmering sibling rivalries... loser buys the pizza.
Fresh blooms, zero fuss: Glenda's Lakewood Flowers nails the just-because arrangement and the big moments, with custom designs that skew modern or tropical if you want, plus plants and thoughtful add-ons. They deliver around Holland, so you can make someone's day without leaving your flip-flops.
Local beach-day fix: When you just need a quick dose of lake breeze and sand between your toes without overthinking it, Holland State Park is the move. Pack the basics, let the week’s stress drift out with the waves, then treat yourself to that satisfyingly sleepy drive home.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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Buy one window treatment this summer, get the second 50% off: “My fourth order over 8 years. Product reliability, consistency to values & warranty kept me returning!” See what keeps customers coming back to 3 Day Blinds. Book your free consultation and enjoy summer savings on blinds, shades, and drapery. *Claim your summer savings →
Carrying $5,000 or more on your cards? Stop the interest charges: A balance that size racks up interest fast, and at today's rates it barely budges no matter how much you pay. This card gives you 0% intro APR until 2028 on balance transfers (made in the first 60 days), with a $0 annual fee. That means almost two years to pay down what you owe with no interest charges. *See if it's a fit →
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🐴 Park Pop-Up: Shenanigans Ponies & Petting Zoo @ Lawrence Street Park (Zeeland) | Wednesday (6/24) at 10:00 AM – Shenanigans Ponies & Petting Zoo pops up by the pavilion, blessedly shady, for some farmyard therapy. Meet goats, fluffy sheep, clucking chickens, and absurdly soft bunnies, then win hero status by doling out farm-approved treats. All ages, no registration, expect squeals.
🎭 Puppet Palooza @ Holland Area Arts Council | Thursday (6/25) at 10:00 AM – Trade screen time for string time at a free, family-friendly puppetry takeover at the Holland Area Arts Council. Kids make their own puppets, roaming pros animate the halls, and Jason Yancey’s shadow theater reminds you imagination still beats Wi-Fi. No batteries required.
🏊 World's Largest Swimming Lesson @ Holland Aquatic Center | Thursday (6/25) at 11:30 AM – Think you already know your doggy paddle, or are you just heroically avoiding the deep end? Holland Aquatic Center hosts the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson, a free, 30-minute water safety refresher for all ages. Stick around for free Splash Time, floaties not required.
🏅 Mini-Olympics @ Holland Christian High School Track | Thursday (6/25) at 5:30 PM – Tiny Olympians take over the Holland Christian High School track, with ages 2 to 7 trying pint-size events. Think cycling, sprinting, and a soccer kick, all scaled for short legs, while you rotate as the coach; $10 per kid, presented by EV Construction.
🦖 Summer Drawing Class: Dinosaurs @ Gary Byker Memorial Library (Hudsonville) | Thursday (6/25) at 6:00 PM – Draw prehistoric showstoppers at a free dinosaur class in the library’s lower level room, where Corinne Roberts guides all ages through simple shapes and lines, no experience required, just paper, a pencil, and an eraser. Finally, dinosaurs that sit still.
🐦 Banquet for the Birds @ Outdoor Discovery Center | Friday (6/26) at 10:30 AM – At the De Witt Birds of Prey Center, an open house lets you watch a naturalist feed the resident raptors, and pick up the good stuff about habitats, hunting styles, and survival tricks. Think dinner and a show, minus small talk, plus talons.
🏹 CrossBow @ Ottawa County Fairgrounds | Saturday (6/27) at 5:30 PM – Bagpipes on the waterfront, CrossBow on stage, and kilted athletes hurling logs, because Holland likes its cardio with plaid. Nurse a Guinness, sample scotch, and a local brew, trace your clan, try cricket, and yes, there is a kilted magician, because of course.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — The Holland report Weather forecastToday — High: 75°F — Low: 60°F — Precip: 59%
A chance of rain showers between 11am and 2pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely between 2pm and 5pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 75. South southwest wind 1 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm, then showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. South southwest wind 3 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Tomorrow — High: 75°F — Low: 58°F — Precip: 21%
A slight chance of rain showers before 8am. Partly sunny, with a high near 75. West wind 3 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 58. This house is wildThis award-winning 3-level retreat spans 2.5 wooded acres with deeded access to a wide, sandy Lake Michigan beach. LEED Platinum certification, radiant heat under poured cement floors, and a whole-house generator bring modern ease, while upper and lower decks plus a two-level screened porch add extra charm. Minutes north of Saugatuck, it blends lake life with quiet seclusion.
Take a peek inside → |
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