It takes a lot of time, effort and passion to put together a weekly television show. I’m blessed to have a great team that makes it happen every week! John VanDoorne is our photographer and editor and Jamie Allen is our producer. Our team of three puts out a product I am very proud of! I’m thrilled that the Michigan Association of Broadcasters feels our work is awarding winning as well. We recently received a “Best In Category” award for “Maranda: Where You Live” as well as a special Merit Award from MAB. It’s a great honor to be recognized for our work, it’s also a great honor to work with an awesome team and wonderful community partners! We are proud to be a part of “Where You Live”!
This weekend on “Where You Live” it’s an explosion of science fun! We’ll visit the Public Museum of Grand Rapids to check out the new exhibit, “Big, Big, Bugs!”. We’ll also stop by the John Ball Zoo to see some amazing insects! Plus, Fifth Third Bank experts will share simple, inexpensive science projects to try with your kids! We’ll also talk with experts at the VanAndel Institute and Ferris State University to get their best tips on fostering a love of science in your kids! Bring science to life this weekend-”Where You Live” Saturday-7:30 a.m. and p.m. on WOTV 4 and 6:30 p.m. on WOOD TV 8.
This weekend on “Where You Live” we’re celebrating babies!! It’s a super sweet show you’re not going to want to miss! We visit the Spectrum Health Family Birth Center to meet some new moms and their newborns (they are so precious!). We’ll get some expert advise from Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital experts on safe sleep for infants. Priority Health wellness friends will share simple workouts to do at home with baby and you can check out all the latest in baby gear at Meijer! Plus, we have a tender story of a local family that recently adopted a toddler from Haiti through Bethany Christian Services. It’s a heart warming story for sure!! And a Pine Rest Christian Services therapist shares insights for all parents on making children feel like an important part of the family. We’ll also announce our 2010 Park Party schedule! It’s a big show this weekend, “Where You Live” Saturday at 7:30 a.m. and p.m. on WOTV 4 and 6:30 p.m. on WOOD TV 8.
Throughout the month of February we’ve been giving you the chance to win some incredible prizes!! Contests include a two-day Ski and Splash Adventure at Boyne Mountain Resort, an overnight shopping get-away at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Novi, Michigan, 100 winners getting free tickets to the Disney Ice Show, “Finding Nemo” and this weekend you’ll get the chance to register to win one of five “Dance, Dance, Revolution” Wii Games!! To sign up for all these contests click on the contest link at the top of the website. You can register for each contest but you can only register once. We will notify all winners via mail and we’ll post winners of our big contests right here on this website. Thanks for all the entries so far and all the interest in these great prizes!! If you haven’t registered do it now because this is the final week to sign up to win!
This weekend on “Where You Live” it’s our shopping special! Find out about the best bargins to be had at local stores, get expert insights on ways to make your next trip to the grocery store tantrum free with your toddler, visit an amazing store that gives you a chance to shop with a purpose to help women and children around the globe and find out how one local elementary school is using a “Wish Tree” asking community members and parents to shop for their classroom supplies. Plus, the chance for you to win a VIP Shopping Trip to Novi, Michigan!! This prize package includes an overnight stay at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, dinner for four at the Chop House, breakfast, coupons to the Novi Mall, a massage and more!!
One of my favorite things about this job is meeting so many wonderful people! Maybe it’s chatting with a mom at the Holland Aquatic Center or visiting with a dad while shopping at Meijer. I love hearing about what kids and families are doing, how they are making a difference in their community and the memories they are building as a family. Over the past few weeks we’ve seen a big jump in activity on this website. We’ve also seen our Facebook Fan base blossom. It’s exciting to see that kids, parents, grandparents and teachers are discovering this special little “community” we have that focuses on building healthy, happy, strong families here in West Michigan. If you’re new to us, welcome aboard! If you’ve been with us for a while, thanks for telling your friends about us! We love your input, ideas and inspirations. Know your input is valued and always welcome!
Come splash, slide and swim at the Holland Aquatic Center on Monday, February 15! It’s a special mid-winter break family pool party and you’re invited! From 1-8:30 p.m. your whole family can slide down the water slides, float in the whirlpool, climb the obstacle course and swim in the pools for just $11.50! That’s the price for the entire family!!! I’ll be there from 2-4 p.m. with games and prizes! It’s a great way to get the family playing, moving and having fun together. And one of my favorite parts-it’s always 84 degrees at the Holland Aquatic Center!
If you’ve been to downtown Grand Rapids recently you can’t help but notice all the construction and activity on Michigan hill. It’s fondly known as “Medical Mile” and at the heart of it all is The Van Andel Institute. This weekend on “Where You Live” we’ll take you on a floor by floor tour of VAI to see all the amazing work being done. You’ll also find out about ways to get your kids involved in the Institute’s Educational programs and see how students from around West Michigan are using the Power of Purple to raise thousands of dollars to help researchers find a cure for cancer. It’s an empowering show that is sure to offer insights on ways to foster a love of science-Where You Live!
Be sure to click on our contest button to sign up for you child’s school or group to win a VIP tour of The Van Andel Institute!
One of the things I love about my job is visiting schools around West Michigan and meeting all the amazing students, teachers and parents. This morning I had the honor of being a part of a school assembly at Rosy Mounds Elementary School in Grand Haven. We were kicking off a month long “Go Green” challenge asking students to live a little greener both at school and at home. A few special treats included a visit from a Priority Health Cyclist, the Grand Haven High School Green Team and the Grand Haven High School Green Guys!! It was a super fun morning watching the students get fired up to “Go Green’! Congrats to that entire district for making it a priority to care for our planet. I’d love to hear what your school is doing to “Go Green”!
Maranda joined WOOD TV8, WOTV 4 and WXSP TV in January of 2001 as Children and Family Services Manager. Maranda oversees the development of station projects on-air, online and in our community that target kids and families.
Maranda joined WOOD TV8, WOTV 4 and WXSP TV in January of 2001 as Children and Family Services Manager. Maranda oversees the development of station projects on-air, online and in our community that target kids and families.