You will also start receiving the Star's free morning newsletter Netherlands’ Prime Minister Dick Schoof lays a wreath during a solemn annual national service to commemorate the war dead in Amsterdam Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima leave after laying a wreath during a solemn annual national service to commemorate the war dead in Amsterdam Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima leave after laying a wreath during a solemn annual national service to commemorate the war dead in Amsterdam Netherlands (AP) — Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk made an impassioned plea for European and transatlantic unity Monday in a speech marking the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands from World War II German occupation “The experience gained 80 years ago tells us that only when (we) stand together can we overcome,” Tusk said He added that “in the face of the threat posed by (President Vladimir) Putin’s Russia we need to deepen our European and transatlantic life Tusk spoke at a Dutch Liberation Day ceremony where WWII veterans were given a standing ovation by crowds who lined streets to watch a military parade as modern and wartime aircraft flew overhead Polish troops were among Allied forces who helped liberate the Netherlands Festivities in Wageningen centered on a square outside the Hotel de Wereld, where German top brass signed papers on May 5, 1945, that formally ended the brutal five-year occupation as the war drew to a close across Europe their chests decorated with medals and legs covered in blankets sat on the front row watching the ceremony Germany finally surrendered on May 8, now known as Victory in Europe Day Liberation Day in the Netherlands is celebrated on May 5, a day after the country observes two minutes of silence to honor its war dead Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans used the occasion to call for renewed efforts to nurture peace “War and aggression are back in Europe and it is up to us to protect peace,” he said Brekelmans’ speech was briefly disturbed by a small group of protesters who shouted “Free free Palestine!” Police detained five people as Brekelmans continued to address the crowd some of whom booed at the demonstrators as they were led away a smoke canister was thrown onto a festival stage in Wageningen where Tusk and his Dutch counterpart Dick Schoof were standing Dutch King Willem-Alexander and others laid wreaths at the national monument in Amsterdam and two veterans lit a Liberation Fire in Wageningen hours later ignited the flame in Wageningen’s central May 5 Square The country’s southern regions were freed in 1944 but the populous western towns and cities had to wait months and endure a devastating famine known as the Hunger Winter that killed thousands Events across Europe marking the end of the 1939-45 war come as the traditional friendly links with the United States, whose forces helped liberate the Netherlands and much of the continent, are fraying. The European Union and the administration of President Donald Trump are now embroiled in a trade war Tusk appealed for unity at a time of global insecurity “Genuine solidarity between people and nations that will prevent the evil from shaping our present and future,” he said “The time of Europe’s carefree comfort Today is the time of European mobilization around our fundamental values and our security.” Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: Account processing issue - the email address may already exist Invalid password or account does not exist Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account cars pulled to the side of the road and no planes arrived or departed in the Netherlands for two minutes on Sunday as the country went silent to remember victims of war Thousands of people gathered in Amsterdam to watch as Dutch King Willem-Alexander laid a wreath at a war memorial 80 years and a day since the country was liberated from Nazi occupation in 1945 The first speaker at the annual event was 14-year-old Marijn van der Wilk who read a poem he had written about resistance during the war In a time when doing good could be life-threatening And yet they did it,” he said during the nationally televised event Prime Minister Dick Schoof discussed the grief his family felt over the death of his grandfather who was executed by Nazi soldiers for his work in the resistance When we think of all the people who were murdered for who they were at which flags fly at half staff from buildings throughout the country honors military personnel and civilians killed in conflicts around the world since the outbreak of World War II It is followed Monday by celebrations to mark the country’s liberation from Nazi German occupation at the end of the war Not every place in the country observed the remembrance Some predominantly Christian areas honored the dead on Saturday a few hundred people gathered for an alternative commemoration A group of civil servants organized May 4 inclusive an event to remember all victims of conflict frustrated with the Dutch government’s response to the conflict in Gaza “We commemorate both the victims of the past and the victims of today A few pro-Palestinian slogans could be seen in the crowd in Amsterdam two veterans will light a Liberation Fire to kickstart a day of celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the end of German occupation of the Netherlands from Canada will light the flame in Wageningen the central city where German officers signed the official surrender in 1945 Mike Corder in The Hague contributed to this report The April 24 accident that killed Rob Holland based on facts reported by the NTSB on May 2 The NTSB preliminary report notes that multiple witnesses watched the accident unfold as Holland approached a landing on Runway 8 at Langley Air Force Base in Hampton where he was scheduled to perform in a weekend airshow Holland flew his single-seat MX Aircraft MXS (serial number 001) from Tennessee and leveled off about 50 feet above the runway after making a normal approach The report notes that Holland had collaborated with the manufacturer on aircraft modifications including an access hole on the left and right elevator where counterweights could be inserted or removed to adjust the elevator feel depending on the particular routine being flown The counterweights were secured by a threaded aluminum plug inserted in the hole Investigators found the left-side elevator counterweight plug about 10 feet behind the aircraft wreckage with threads intact and dirt contamination that was consistent with dirt found on the elevator about half of the circumference of the left elevator counterweight plug displayed gouging and there was evidence of paint transfer," the report notes with corresponding marks found on the adjacent horizontal stabilizer The rest of the reported findings detailed aircraft and propeller damage consistent with an engine that was functioning and a propeller that was rotating on impact The aircraft's most recent inspection was completed March 3 Holland (who is not named in the NTSB report as is customary) held an airline transport pilot certificate with various ratings as well as flight instructor and ground instructor certificates He had reported 15,387 hours on the application for his most recent FAA medical certificate 800.872.2672 AOPA is so passionate about supporting flight schools that we're offering you free countertop displays filled with our annual special issue This beginning pilots' resource guide explains what you can expect from your introductory flight through initial training—and how to turn your dream of flying into reality Get instant access to Flight Training's special issue titled You Can Fly: Your Path to Become a Pilot This beginning pilots' resource guide explains what you can expect from your introductory flight through initial training— and how to turn your dream of flying into reality Please review AOPA’s privacy policy to learn more about how your information is used Though the annual Met Gala often features culture’s biggest icons stars like Jennifer Aniston and Tom Holland have never attended the event The Netherlands and Poland will strengthen their military cooperation through a new agreement set to be signed in early July in Warsaw, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof and his Polish counterpart Donald Tusk announced Monday, de Gelderlander reported. The two leaders made the announcement during a joint press conference in Oosterbeek, near Arnhem. Although the full content of the agreement has not yet been disclosed, both governments confirmed their ministries of defense are actively working out the details. “Our cooperation is actually progressing very naturally,” Schoof said. He emphasized that it was essential to further develop European military collaboration. “It is important to shape the defense cooperation we seek—whether it's about training or the defense industry—within Europe,” he added. The military partnership comes amid increasing concerns over Russian aggression and growing uncertainty about the future presence of U.S. military forces in Europe. In response, Poland has been reinforcing its defense ties with multiple European countries. Later this week, Tusk is scheduled to sign a similar far-reaching military and economic cooperation agreement with France. Schoof praised Poland’s leadership in driving defense collaboration within the European Union. “The Netherlands appreciates the leading role Poland is playing in strengthening European defense,” he said. According to Schoof, Poland has “really put that discussion on the map” since taking over the rotating EU presidency on January 1. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine three years ago, the Polish government has significantly increased its defense spending. Poland is currently allocating 4.7 percent of its gross domestic product to defense, the highest level among NATO member states. Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz stated in early April that Warsaw intends to raise that figure to 5 percent next year. In contrast, the Dutch cabinet under Prime Minister Schoof currently spends just 2 percent of GDP on its Ministry of Defense. © 2012-2025, NL Times, All rights reserved. But if you're wondering whether Zendaya is attending the Met Gala 2025 Teen Vogue can confirm Zendaya is indeed in town for the festivities and is getting ready at the Mark Hotel along with her longtime collaborator and style architect Law Roach The real question is… will Tom Holland be with her on the red carpet As always, the 2025 Met Gala will take place on the first Monday in May The theme coincides with the Costume Institute's spring exhibit “tailored for you,” which has a focus on menswear the Gala co-chairs include actor Colman Domingo as well as LeBron James serving as honorary chair and Usher will be there as a part of the host committee Zendaya was one of the co-chairs for last year's Met Gala, which was themed Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion. If you'll remember, she wore not one but two gowns and two completely different looks on the carpet first appearing in a gorgeous blue Margiela mermaid gown before changing into a stunning archival 1996 Givenchy haute couture gown paired with an Alexander McQueen headpiece to head into the museum “We are going to be on the Met Gala steps,” Roach said on April 8 revealing that he and Zendaya would not be walking together We’re doing our own thing this year which is exciting.” Zendaya has missed the Gala before; she attended yearly from 2015 to 2019 But it sounds like she's going to make a Gala stop happen this year after all Now that we know for sure that Z will be at the Gala, the next question on our minds is: Will she bring her fiancé Tom Holland? Holland has never been to the Met Gala so if he were to make his debut alongside his future wife However, Holland has previously shared that he and Zendaya don't typically walk the red carpet as a pair especially at their individual premieres and events it’s her moment,” Holland explained earlier this year Zendaya isn't working the event as a co-chair or committee member this year it wouldn't necessarily be a stolen spotlight But it would definitely still be out of character for the typically low-key and private couple — that being said because Zendaya isn't working the Gala let's all try to manifest a Tomdaya Met Gala 2025 debut Could a new red carpet date be why she and Law are doing their own thing this year Underneath Chappell Roan’s Hannah Montana Wig? A Pop Star for the Ages Is Your New Favorite Song Real or AI? 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She Continues to Laugh The high school spring season has seen some great performances Here are the top performers of the week in high school sports Readers will have the opportunity to vote for the best beginning Tuesday on the Sentinel website Here is a little more about each candidate: 1 singles player dominated in a victory over Grand Haven as she continued to cruise through the OK Red The Dutch senior raced to first place in the 100-meter hurdles (16.89) and 300 hurdles (51.62) in a rivalry match against Holland Christian She also took third in the long jump with a personal-best 14-6 The Hawkeyes pitcher threw a no-hitter against Holland in a 15-0 win on Tuesday She walked one and struck out eight in three innings Zeeland East trackThe freshman won both the 1,600 meters (5:21.61) and the 3,200 meters (11:05.71) in a double-dual win over Spring Lake and Hamilton on Tuesday The senior won the 200 meters (22.88) and 400 meters (51.75) in a double dual meet against Zeeland East and Spring Lake on Tuesday Senior pitcher threw a no-hitter against East Kentwood on Tuesday He walked one and struck out six in six innings against the Falcons Fennville soccerBlackhawks soccer player led the way with three goals and an assist in an 8-0 win over Coloma on Wednesday Hamilton baseballIn a three-game series against Holland Blauwkamp was 6-for-11 at the plate with a double and a triple four runs scored and he also picked up the win on the mound in game one to help the Hawkeyes improve to 13-3 Senior third baseman broke the school record for career home runs with her 25th in a doubleheader against Zeeland West Launched two home runs to spark a doubleheader sweep of rival Zeeland East on Tuesday The senior pitcher got the win in Game 1 against Zeeland West and had a key bunt to move runners up and he beat it out for a hit to load the bases He struck out seven in the 9-3 win on Tuesday Zeeland East soccerScored the game-winner in a 1-0 win over rival Zeeland West Launched the shot off of one touch across her body and over the goalie into the top left corner of the goal The junior set the Maroons school record in the shot put with a throw of 38-2 she broke the mark set by Samara Brinks in 2022 The senior broke the school record in the 200 meters with a run of 26.14 seconds The North Park commit broke the mark set by Lis Potts in 2008 Contact sports editor Dan D’Addona at Dan.D’Addona@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as  Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSports A loose screw on a customized elevator counterweight receptacle may have led to the crash that killed airshow legend Rob Holland a week ago The NTSB issued a preliminary report on the crash that occurred at Langley Air Force Base on April 24 and noted the screw which Holland used to adjust the amount of weight to alter control feel of the MXS depending on the kind of routine he intended to fly The screw was found about 10 feet from the wreckage and had red paint on it suggesting it became jammed between the elevator and the fixed portion of the horizontal stabilizer "The counterweight plug threads were intact and also contained similar dirt contamination consistent with that found on the elevator," the report said about half of the circumference of the left elevator counterweight plug displayed gouging and there was evidence of paint transfer." Holland was about 50 feet above the runway on a normal approach when things went wrong according to "multiple witnesses" cited in the report "The airplane made a normal approach to the runway and when it was over the end of the runway it leveled off about 50 ft above the runway and flew straight down the runway for several hundred feet," the prelim said pitched 'straight up,' rolled 90° to the left and descended to ground impact." Early Registration Open You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience More than a dozen dishes will debut on the menu and desserts that are known favorites of guests.  New sharing-style appetizers will be introduced with options including bao buns and Korean beef tacos Vegetarian and vegan dishes also are featured offering a wide selection for all palates.  Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter to save money on your next (or your first) cruise. table setting will be refreshed to include more color and textures The staff uniforms will also be updated to a sleek elegant black dress accented by a plum-colored cummerbund Holland America introduces new menu and staff uniforms at Tamarind specialty restaurant Image source: Holland America Line Revitalized menu builds on 'savor the journey' identityTamarind's revitalized menu celebrates the tastes and traditions of regions around the world The Tamarind dining experience connects guests to Asian culture through localized cuisine and a culturally enriched ambiance Dishes on the menu feature seafood that is part of the cruise line's global fresh fish program which offers more than 80 varieties of fresh fish sourced locally from across a worldwide network "The new Tamarind menu continues to celebrate the vibrant flavors of Asia with a fresh vision while staying true to the restaurant's roots," according to Michael Stendebach beverage and rooms division for Holland America Line "We're continuing the build upon the innovation that has defined this venue since the beginning maintaining many guest favorites while introducing some exciting new dishes."  Five ships to roll out new menu by June 2025The eatery is aboard five ships and serves cuisine that combines ingredients and flavors from Pan-Asian culinary traditions The new menu is scheduled to roll out on the following ships: RotterdamNieuw StatendamKoningsdamEurodamNieuw AmsterdamAdditionally a "Taste of Tamarind" pop-up experience is available on Westerdam while in Asia and on Noordam while in Australia as well as on Grand Voyages and select Legendary Voyages Holland America Line refreshes the menu of its Pan-Asian Tamarind specialty restaurant entrees and confectionsTasty Asian starters: Side dishes on the menu include steamed jasmine or brown rice box chop and sake-braised oyster and shiitake mushrooms "The entire culinary team worked on the menu refresh but Fleet Chef Ming Wong led this change and used her Malaysian heritage to heavily influence many of the dishes," continued Stendebach "Our goal is to keep the dishes and flavors as authentic as possible and chef Ming ensured that our guests would have a true Asian experience." Tamarind's premium dining experience is available for a supplemental charge or as an included dining option with the cruise line's "have it all" package (The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.) Make a free appointment with Come Cruise With Me's Travel Agent Partner, Postcard Travel, or email Amy Post at amypost@postcardtravelplanning.com or call or text her at 386-383-2472 Sign up today for the the latest cruising news, tips, and guidance from cruise aficionado and expert, Dan Kline Sign up today for our free newsletter and you'll receive an exclusive report explaining hedge fund guru Doug Kass' winning investment style The preliminary report on the accident that killed aerobatic pilot Rob Holland has been released by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) an MX Aircraft tech PTY LTD MXS from Smyrna Airport (KMQY) in Tennessee and was destined for Langley Air Force Base (KLF) in Hampton to perform in the Air Power Over Hampton Roads airshow scheduled for the following weekend Holland held an airline transport pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land He also held flight instructor and ground instructor certificates and had won several aerobatic championships The airplane had been modified for aerobatics Holland had worked with the manufacturer to modify the airplane to his specifications which included installing an access hole on the left and right elevator to insert counterweights that could be used to adjust elevator “feel,” depending on the aerobatic routine he chose to perform An aluminum threaded plug was used to access the counterweight hole The airplane’s most recent condition inspection was completed on March 3 The aircraft had a total airframe time of 1,062 hours Holland was cleared to land on Runway 08 at Langley According to witness statements given to the NTSB “the airplane made a normal approach to the runway and when it was over the end of the runway it leveled off about 50 [feet] above the runway and flew straight down the runway for several hundred feet pitched ‘straight up,’ rolled 90 [degrees] to the left and descended to ground impact.” The aircraft came to rest in a grass ditch about 100 feet from the left side of Runway 08 and 500 feet beyond the approach threshold All major components of the airplane were accounted for at the accident site NTSB inspection of the wreckage revealed the left elevator counterweight plug was not installed It was located about 10 feet behind the wreckage in the grass Dirt consistent with that found in the vicinity of the accident site was identified on the elevator as well as in the counterbore and threaded area where the counterweight plug would have been installed The counterweight plug threads were intact and also had dirt contamination consistent with that found on the elevator about half of the circumference of the left elevator counterweight plug displayed gouging The horizontal stabilizer structure adjacent to the elevator position where the counterweight plug would have been installed displayed dents and paint scrapes consistent with contact with the counterweight plug Photos of the horizontal stabilizer structure adjacent to the left elevator counterweight plug show a dented washer and scrapes The left wing remained attached to the fuselage although the outer section of the aileron was fractured at its hinge point The right wing remained attached to the fuselage and both the left and right fuel tanks were empty The empennage was intact and the left elevator was fractured off the outer hinge at the upper bracket that connected to the fuselage The elevator trim tab was found in the full up position consistent with the aircraft trimmed for a nose down attitude The elevator was intact and remained attached although the bottom of the control was crushed The cockpit and instrument panel displayed impact-related damage and several instruments were dislodged and located around the cockpit The throttle grip was fractured off the side of the cockpit and the control column was fractured off the bottom hinge point The canopy was fractured into several pieces that were located around the main wreckage Flight control continuity was traced from the cockpit to the elevator and ailerons and two of the three propeller blades were broken off at the hub the rear part of the oil sump/air plenum were fractured and the exhaust and intake tubes were crushed The top two engine mounts were separated from the engine case NTSB investigators stated the top sparkplugs were removed and appeared normal as compared to the Champion Aviation chart AV-27 and when the engine crankshaft was rotated by hand thumb compression was attained at all the cylinders and engine drivetrain continuity was confirmed throughout The weather at the time of the accident was reported as visual meteorological conditions (VMC) The NTSB stresses that this information is preliminary and the conclusion of the investigation with the probable cause of the accident is still many months away Get ready to embrace west Michigan's millions of blooming tulips this spring with Holland's annual tulip festival. The Tulip Time Festival returns to Holland May 2-11 combining Holland's Dutch heritage and bountiful tulip gardens with live music "Tulip Time celebrates tulips, Dutch heritage, and the Holland, Michigan community today. Throughout the last 96 years, millions of people have gathered to enjoy Tulip Time in Holland, Michigan," the festival's website states "The festival is a 10-day experience like no other with over 6 million tulips blooming throughout the city and area attractions." The Tulip Time Festival takes place throughout the Holland area, with most events within 4 miles of downtown Holland, the festival website notes Where can I find the schedule of events?The Tulip Time website lists events taking place each day Visitors can enjoy observing tulips in bloom at the following locations throughout Holland, the festival website says: More: When can you plant strawberries? What to know in Michigan What activities does the festival feature?The festival lineup includes a variety of events over the 10 days, the festival website says Here's a look at some activities visitors can take part in: More: A 17-year cicada brood is set to emerge. Will Michigan hear the big-eyed insects? When are the festival parades?There will be two parades through downtown Holland during the festival First is the Gentex Kinderparade (children's parade) at 2 p.m. May 8, featuring students from area schools. The parade starts with street scrubbing where the mayor and city council wear white gloves to inspect the parade route The parade will start at Eighth Street and Columbia Avenue continuing down Eighth Street to Kollen Park ending at the intersection of Van Raalte Avenue and 11th Street The Quality Car Wash Volksparade (people's parade) starts at 2 p.m Dutch dance and participants from across the state In a change from previous years, the Volksparade will follow the same route as the Kinderparade, ending at Kollen Park. The change was made due to safety concerns, Tulip Time officials said the parade continued down Van Raalte Avenue to Holland High School Does Tulip Time offer guided tours?Tulip Time offers a variety of guided tours to get the most out of Holland’s blooms VIP tours will be offered May 2 tickets to Windmill Island Gardens and the Tulip Immersion Garden city tour stops at local landmarks and Hope college and a trip to Holland State Park to see Big Red Historic walking tours will be offered every day of the festival starting at 8:30 a.m Tickets are $35 and include a costumed local guide to see historic sites The Tulip Time website lists numerous parking locations in and around Holland for those who attend the festival Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@freepress.com One that has grown in popularity is about to get a $1.1 million facelift Michigan residents tend to do things for recreation that are not expensive the uncertainty drove more Michiganders outdoors doing simple things to entertain themselves and spend time with family fishing and hunting licenses in Michigan saw their biggest increase in years West Michigan has many great parks to visit while others require a park sticker for your vehicle to enter If you purchase a yearly pass for your vehicle you can go to most parks all over the state for a one-time fee Not far from 196 and the Macatawa River is Hawthorn Pond Natural Area and a boardwalk with a lookout station around the pond According to FOX 17 City Manager Steve Bulthuis announced a $1.1 million enhancement project for Hawthorn Pond Natural Area The money will be used to build permanent restrooms A boardwalk will be added to 2.7 miles of trail that will be a part of the Makatoa Greenway The new amenities will bring more park visitors while enhancing the experience for the current visitors The project should be completed by this fall West Michigan has many great parks. One that has grown in popularity is about to get a $1.1 million facelift.\nRead More Not far from 196 and the Macatawa River is Hawthorn Pond Natural Area According to FOX 17 State Department has authorized the potential Foreign Military Sale to the Netherlands for Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles (TLAMs) and associated equipment on April 25 The complete estimated value of this deal amounts to $2.19 billion The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) provided the necessary certification to U.S The defense agreement seeks to boost the Royal Netherlands Navy’s precision strike capabilities the Netherlands has requested up to 163 Tomahawk Block V All-Up Rounds (AURs) and up to 10 Tactical Tomahawk Weapons Control Systems (TTWCS) The package also includes satellite data link terminals (KIV-18A) integrated secure broadcast systems (KSX-5) communications security devices (KGV-135A) has been named the principal contractor for the program The Royal Netherlands Navy intends to incorporate Tomahawk missiles into the De Zeven Provinciën-class air-defense and command frigates (LCFs) as well as upcoming vessel designs Plans to equip the frigates with Tomahawks were originally mooted in 2005 but rejected The vessels are already equipped with 40-cell Mk 41 strike-length vertical launching systems so integration will not be an issue The Netherlands will establish itself as one of the few European navies with deep-strike land attack capabilities through this integration which boosts their operational capabilities within NATO and coalition operations The purchase contains both Block IV and Block V variants of the Tomahawk system With its designation “Tactical Tomahawk” the Block IV provides forces with the ability to redirect missions during flight as well as extended loiter functions and improved tactical versatility through its improved sensor set The Block V system delivers navigation upgrades together with modernized communication features while also providing stronger electronic warfare resistance as well as advanced penetration capabilities for air defense systems These future upgrades to Block Va and Vb variants will enable them to engage moving naval targets and hardened ground targets The Tomahawk Land Attack Missile is a subsonic cruise weapon which can travel more than 1,600 kilometers (1,000 miles) during its flight The missile operates using inertial navigation and GPS guidance together with terrain contour matching (TERCOM) for precise targeting and carries a 450-kilogram (1,000-pound) conventional warhead The missile maintains autonomous control systems and stealth features while allowing programmers to select multiple destinations before flight and receive new instructions during active operations which make it suitable for deep penetration missions in hostile territories government personnel will be assigned to the Netherlands as part of this deal creating opportunities for industrial collaboration between U.S This collaboration will help reinforce strategic ties and promote mutual technological development Tags: , , , — While approaching landing at Langley Air Force Base on Thursday famed aerobatic pilot Rob Holland's plane — an MX Aircraft MXS — "porpoised" twice before crashing on the runway according to a preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board witnesses said the plane was approaching on the runway making a "normal approach." the aerobatic pilot who died in Langley crash While it sheds some light on the cause of the fatal crash two days before the Air Power Over Hampton Roads air show much remains to be understood about how the expert pilot lost control of his aircraft The NTSB report discusses modifications Holland made to his aircraft with the help of the manufacturer and its certification by the Federal Aviation Administration for "special airworthiness" as a plane used for exhibition and air racing Holland's death sent shockwaves through the aviation industry with condolences pouring out from fellow pilots and fans Holland was a frequent flier at the area's two military air shows: Air Power Over Hampton Roads at Langley and the annual Naval Air Station Oceana show as officials took time to pay tribute to the six-time world aerobatic champion before the events began on Saturday Watch: Langley colonel offers condolences for Rob Holland following fatal crash One of the organizers spoke passionately about Holland's contributions to the airshow community calling him "the finest solo aerobatic performer to grace this earth." the respect and admiration for pilots took on even greater significance in the wake of this tragedy especially when you are doing stunts with an aircraft," one spectator reflected HOLLAND — In 2025 The Sentinel is providing a weekly round-up of the biggest topics in upcoming municipal meetings giving our readers a chance to engage with their local officials on the projects appointments and decisions that hit closest to home and will not include an agenda if one hasn't been posted by 1 p.m Municipalities are not required by the Michigan Open Meetings Act to provide an agenda in advance of a meeting Please visit your local municipality website for the most updated information Here are the biggest topics for meetings Monday-Friday CANCELLED: Plat Board: 12 p.m at the Ottawa County Fillmore Street Complex Agricultural Preservation Board: 8 a.m Read the packet: tinyurl.com/3caxfr8m Allegan CountyBoard of Commissioners: 9 a.m Read the packet: tinyurl.com/2fsjnma9 How to attend remotely: You can attend via Zoom on your web browser by visiting zoom.us/j/89160327098 with password "Board". You can watch on YouTube under @AlleganCounty City Council: Study Session at 5:45 p.m Read the packet: tinyurl.com/5axu7a3a City Council Workshop: 4 p.m How to attend remotely: You can attend via Zoom on your web browser by visiting us02web.zoom.us/j/2698572603 or by calling 312-626-6799 or 646-518-9805 and entering in 269 857 2603 City Council: 6 p.m Read the packet: tinyurl.com/5xpus8wb Planning Commission: 6 p.m Read the packet: tinyurl.com/ytvfv92b City of Fennville City Commission: 6 p.m Read the packet: tinyurl.com/3kv364xk Zoning Board of Appeals: 5:30 p.m Zoning Board of Appeals: 6:30 p.m Read the packet: tinyurl.com/355z7mka More: Park Township ZBA leans against grandfathering short-term rentals. Here's why Board of Trustees: 6:30 p.m Read the packet: tinyurl.com/357vt2t6 Board of Trustees: 7 p.m Read the packet: tinyurl.com/3t2fkesp Parks Commission: 6 p.m Read the agenda: tinyurl.com/2mb6x65p  How to attend remotely: You can attend via Zoom on your web browser by visiting zoom.us/j/4556718351 or by calling 312-626-6799 and entering in 455 671 8351 Township Board Workshop: 5 p.m Read the agenda: tinyurl.com/yze2z9rt Planning Commission: 7 p.m Read the packet: tinyurl.com/3jz4ay33 How to attend remotely: You can attend via Zoom on your web browser by visiting https://zoom.us/j/4556718351 or by calling 312-626-6799 and entering in 455 671 8351 More: Accessing local journalism is even easier with the Sentinel app Parks Commission: 5 p.m — Cassidey Kavathas is the politics and court reporter at The Holland Sentinel Contact her at ckavathas@hollandsentinel.com (This story was updated to add new information.) HOLLAND — What's going into the former restaurant space at 381 Douglas Ave The building, finished in 1984, was previously home to Peking House and Tres Lobos. It'll now be home to Michigan Awesome and Good Ink co-owner and director of operations for both companies with the hope of moving in the next month or so Customers should be able to visit the building later this summer "We've been thinking about moving our operations for some time," Ornee said "We've been based in Holland since 2012 after starting out between Grand Rapids and Holland and then moved our operations to Holland Town Center." The announcement is the latest in a shuffle at Holland Town Center. Just days ago, The Sentinel reported that Bluestocking Bookshop will move into the collective off James Street The center recently lost Robinson’s Popcorn, Mommy 'N Me Resale, and Harvest Antiques and Collectibles, which announced it would close as owner Dave Rosenberger looks to retire Two other businesses — The Stave and Barrel and White Stone Trading Co. — opened in the center in recent months More: The Bluestocking Bookshop plans to move to larger location this summer. Here's where Ornee said the new building will allow the businesses to be more customer-facing "We are looking forward to opening our doors later this summer," he said Learn more at michiganawesome.com — Contact reporter Austin Metz at ametz@hollandsentinel.com HOLLAND — Tulip Time is almost here with 648,000 tulips ready to welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors for Holland’s annual celebration of the tulip and Dutch heritage This year marks the 96th annual festival, with official dates Friday-Sunday, May 2-11. There's no admission price for the festival itself, but several events and exhibits require paid tickets. Those can be purchased tuliptime.com it can be difficult to keep track of everything Tulip Time has to offer Tulips planted in the fall by city staff and volunteers can be seen throughout downtown Holland, include along twelve miles of Tulip Lanes, Window on the Waterfront Park and Centennial Park. Windmill Island Gardens offers a view of over 140,000 tulips and the DeZwaan Windmill The Tulip Immersion Garden at Beachwood Church offers a unique way to surround yourself with tulips Dutch horticulturist Ibo Gülsen uses 65,000 tulips of different varieties and colors to set up a week-long immersion experience The garden offers tulips at eye-level and multiple photo opportunities. Tickets can be purchased online The Immersion Garden will be open 8 a.m.-5 p.m Nelis’ Dutch Village at 12350 James St. showcases over 30,000 tulips inside a re-creation of an 1800s village. An admission fee is required and can be purchased online or in-person Veldheer Tulip Gardens at 12755 Quincy St along with tens of thousands of other flowers The gardens require a ticket that can be purchased in person There will be two parades through downtown Holland during the festival First is the Gentex Kinderparade (Children's Parade) at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 8, featuring students from area schools. The parade starts with street scrubbing during which the mayor and city council wear white gloves to inspect the parade route continuing to Kollen Park and ending at the intersection of Van Raalte Avenue and 11th Street The Quality Car Wash Volksparade (People's Parade) starts at 2 p.m Dutch Dance and participants from across the state In a change from previous years, the Volksparade will follow the same route as the Kinderparade The change was made due to safety concerns More: Tulip Time announces major change to Volksparade for 2025 A carnival at Holland Civic Center will operate every day of the festival with various hours. It will feature rides, games and many fair food delights. For daily hours and to purchase ride wristbands, visit skerbeck.com The carnival does not allow unaccompanied minors The festival concludes with a free fireworks show in partnership with Latin Americans United for Progress on Saturday at Kollen Park and will include food trucks and live music leading up to a firework display over Lake Macatawa VIP tours will be offered May 2 tickets are still available for May 2 and 4 city tour stops at local landmarks and Hope College and a trip to Holland State Park to see Big Red Historic walking tours will be offered every day of the festival starting at 8:30 a.m Dutch Dancing shows and lessons will be offered throughout the whole festival Daily lessons will be held 4-4:30 p.m. and 4:30-5 p.m. at Centennial Park from May 2-9. Attendees can join expert Dutch Dancers to get their klomp on and learn how to dance for free For those who would rather sit back and watch there will be plenty of chances throughout the festival A lunch with dance performances will be offered daily at 11:30 a.m The meal includes traditional Dutch dishes such as pea soup Dutch Dancers will perform their signature Klompen Dance More: First U.S. store for Netherlands-based delftware shop now open in downtown Holland Other chances to view Dutch Dance include performances by the Kinder/Middel Group and the Highschool/Alumni Group Dances begin daily at Central Avenue at Centennial Park at 6:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. May 2-10. Some dancers will also take part in the Volksparade Several concerts will take place throughout the festival including returning favorites and cover bands Great Scott will kick off music festivities for Tulip Time at 7 p.m The band plays "the best rock and roll songs from the '70s-'90s" featuring two electric guitars Second Hand News will re-create the experience of seeing Fleetwood Mac in their heyday at 7 p.m Hope Church will host a Dutch Music Organ Concert at 7 p.m Tickets are $16 for the performance by Rhonda Sider Edgington the music director and organist at Hope Church FiddleFire will preform a variety of genres with a folksy twist and instrumentation Forever Motown will perform songs from the Four Tops Tammi Terell and Stevie Wonder during a show starting at 7 p.m The Holland American Legion Band will have two concerts on Thursday Miller Center for Musical Arts on the campus of Hope College Performances will include pillars from the concert band literature a salute to armed forces and guest artist Maria Vomlejn Flurry the principal timpanist with the Flagstaff Symphony and Arizona Philharmonic More: Holland flower farm offering chance to pick your own tulips during Tulip Time Country artist Rodney Atkins will serve as the festival's headlining act including his latest “Caught Up in The Country” in 2019 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart: “If You're Going Through Hell (Before the Devil Even Knows),” “Watching You,” “These Are My People,” “Cleaning This Gun (Come On In Boy),” “It's America” and “Take a Back Road.” Tickets for all shows can be purchased at tuliptime.com culture and crafting events throughout the festival for attendees to enjoy The Tulip Time Quilt Show will take place 10 a.m.-5 p.m attendees can view over 100 quilts by West Michigan quilters Guests can also purchase raffle tickets to win a one-of-a-kind quilt The Holland Area Arts Council is hosting a free to attend Art in Bloem Fine Art Exhibit May 2-9 with a collection of 20 artworks celebrating tulips From May 2-9 on Central Avenue at Centennial Park, families can enjoy a free storytime from 10-10:30 a.m. with De Familiedans Stories will be told by Dutch Dancers and feature a dance lesson The Tulip Time Artisan Market will run 10 a.m.-5 p.m The market will feature over 300 vendors and will have food trucks on-site Holland Community Theatre will perform "Every Little Crook and Nanny" at 7 p.m Tickets for May 7 are still available and are $23 The comedy performance features the story of a retired nanny and her friends who inadvertently get entangled in a mobster’s heist plan Huisman Flowers will offer floral arranging classes from 10 a.m.-3 p.m Tickets cost $55 and participants will create their own arrangement to take home Local photographers June and Doug Kuiper are offering guided photowalks from 7-9 p.m All participants will have the option to submit one photo taken during the event to be selected as Best Picture One winner per class will have their photo featured in Tulip Time’s social media posts Knickerbocker Theatre will offer two free showings of "From Wilderness to World Class," an 80-minute movie about Holland’s past Local artist Carolyn Stich will offer a wooden shoe painting class from 11 a.m.-2 p.m Tickets cost $55 and include one wooden shoe to paint A cutting board workshop will run 4-5 p.m tools and equipment to finish a walnut cutting/charcuterie board to take home Support Local News: Receive unlimited digital access to your local news coverage The Tulip City Open Pickle Ball Tournament will take place May 2-4 at MVP Sports Holland. The tournament proceeds benefit Gateway Mission. This second annual event will be DUPR-rated. Registration is currently closed The Tulip Time Run begins at 8 a.m. Saturday, May 3, at Kollen Park, featuring a 5K, 10K, Kids’ Fun Run and the Tulip Time Virtual Run. Registration is still open For the most updated information, visit tuliptime.com — Cassidey Kavathas is the politics and court reporter at The Holland Sentinel. Contact her at ckavathas@hollandsentinel.com This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Kenneth Price a 47-year-old engineer living in Eindhoven The following has been edited for length and clarity I've been living in Eindhoven, Netherlands I moved here from San Diego for my job in machine engineering in the semiconductor industry most locals were confident that the result would be different than what it was there were a lot of conversations about it Since Trump won the election and took office in January I've been getting a lot of questions as an American abroad Most people here seem to think that almost all Americans are into politics but my views don't align with either major party I've never voted for either of the two major parties. I've always voted third party because I don't believe in binary choices It's been hard to explain that to people here It's not uncommon for people to start the conversations here by asking who you voted for I think they automatically assume I support the current administration They see a lot of divisiveness on social media I don't follow the news in the US all that much What I do follow on social media is polarized I hear mostly about how friends in the US are afraid to leave the country to visit because they fear not being able to return home "I'm glad I'm here." They're fairly understanding once you explain that you don't know the answer to their questions It's a bit disconcerting that you have to explain it because it wasn't like that before last year I came to the Netherlands several times a year for four years before moving full-time The election solidified my decision not to return to the US I can apply for citizenship or renew it at the end of the five years We want to stay for the quality of life, work-life balance and low crime — everything about this place that the US isn't I noticed that conversations always start with "no offense." I respond "Where's that coming from?" Regardless of whether I agree People always ask me to explain what the US government is doing It seems as though people feel like they have to go out of their way to have conversations about topics related to the US if they know you're American we have a center-right government and some politicians who get compared to Trump This government is mostly unpopular among the people I associate with but I know it's popular among certain groups and people are always making comparisons to the US The politics here are less polarized because there are more options for who to vote for I have money in a US bank account that I want to move here The exchange rate used to be roughly one-to-one I don't want to keep anything in my US bank account I'm worried it won't be worth anything unless something significant changes Being directly affected like that has made me mad Both vehicles leading the Dutch passenger car ranking are battery-electric While EVs made up a third of all new registrations last month the overall growing EV uptake appears to have plateaued According to the latest data from BOVAG, RAI Vereniging, and RDC, fully electric cars accounted for 33.9 per cent of all new passenger car registrations in the Netherlands in April. A total of 9,206 BEVs were registered—up just 1.5 per cent year-on-year—pointing to a stagnating trend. This figure also sits slightly below the Q1/2025 BEV share of 35.3 per cent Leading the overall passenger car ranking across all powertrains was once again the Kia EV3 The model established itself as the country’s bestseller in the first quarter Tesla’s registrations plummeted by around 74 per cent year-on-year down to just 382 units compared to 1,457 in April 2024 While Q1 already signalled a downward trend for the brand the drop was far less dramatic: Tesla registered 1,660 Model 3 units (-37% YoY) and 1,752 Model Ys (-58% YoY) in the first quarter of the year The overall Dutch passenger car market declined by 4 per cent in April hybrids (including plug-in hybrids) dominated BEVs followed with a 34 per cent share (9,206 units) ahead of petrol cars at 14 per cent (3,901 units) A closer look at the model ranking reveals that the battery-electric Kia EV3 and Skoda Elroq were the two best-selling cars in the Netherlands last month with 871 and 843 registrations respectively The Elroq achieved this result immediately upon entering the market Rounding out the top five were the Kia Niro (628 units) Tesla and Volkswagen were largely absent from the April charts the third to fifth places were taken by the Volvo EX30 (371 units) The compact EV frontrunners—Kia EV3 and Skoda Elroq—accounted for nearly 19 per cent of all electric registrations in April The top five electric models combined captured a 30 per cent market share indicating that the remainder of EV sales are spread across a wide range of models bovag.nl I agree with the Privacy policy electrive has been following the development of electric mobility with journalistic passion and expertise since 2013 we offer comprehensive coverage of the highest quality — as a central platform for the rapid development of this technology Please select what you would like included for printing: Copy the text below and then paste that into your favorite email application It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Brandon Keith Holland During his time in the military he traveled to places like Germany He loved guns and spent countless hours tinkering and building out his next rifle along with building RC cars and whatever else he could take apart and put back together and grew many exotic plants around his house Brandon always had sketch books full of his drawings He had a passion and talent for art which he passed down to Gracelyn and he loved spending time with his Mom and Pop watching Saints football and relaxing outside One of Brandon's greatest joys in life was on Tuesday afternoons when he spent time with his "Trusty Sidekick," Gracelyn He appreciated good food and showed it by bringing his own Tupperware for leftovers and enjoyed spending time with his family and friends Brandon's free spirit and big heart touched the lives of everyone lucky enough to know him Brandon also leaves behind his two beloved dogs Brandon is preceded in death by his grandparents and beloved pet dog A memorial service in Brandon's honor will take place on April 30 2025 at 11:00am at Johnson Funeral Home in Moss Bluff with a graveside service to follow at Southwest Louisiana Veteran's Cemetery Brandon will be deeply missed by all those who had the privilege of knowing him His memory will live in the hearts of his family and friends Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text Southwest Louisiana Veteran's Cemetery This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors Holland America Line wanted to provide even faster more personalized support for customers—without driving up contact center volumes or running a traditional chatbot The company developed a virtual agent using Microsoft Copilot Studio that acts as a digital concierge on its website to support new and existing customers and travel advisors The agent has achieved a strong resolution rate and is currently handling thousands of conversations per week Telemetry is also indicating that Anna will reduce the number of basic informational queries to contact center agents “With so many stateroom options and packages booking a cruise can be a complicated process it’s not always easy to understand how to prepare for a cruise and add additional services,” says Scot Pettit Holland America Line already has an excellent website with access to live chat and call support But this recognized leader in the cruise industry wanted to go further for Holland America guests and the valued travel advisors who assist them Finding ways to simplify this complex customer journey around the globe became a focus for the company and more targeted customer support—without driving up call volumes.” Adding a chatbot with round-the-clock support seemed to be the next logical step. But Holland America Line was very clear that it didn’t want a traditional chatbot with limited if-then responses. This is what led the company to Microsoft Copilot Studio and the development of a virtual “agent”—an advanced natural language conversational experience that uses AI to support the guest’s digital journey This agent acts as a digital concierge called “Anna,” which customers access from the company’s website Holland America Line’s Anna supports new and existing customers and was designed to support three core scenarios: booking new cruises adding products and services to existing bookings and responding to myriad general questions “We get an incredibly diverse number of questions—from basic cruise and booking requests to travel documentation needed for specific routes even what to wear on specific dates and destinations,” says Pettit “Our goal was to create an agent that could address a wide range of customer questions and requests with natural language—just like a live agent Holland America Line pushed the boundaries of generative answers and actions in Copilot Studio and developed several significant custom improvements and enhancements to the agent we have an effective platform for delivering the benefits of generative AI to our customers providing them with faster service and an even better overall cruise experience.” Schema showing Holland America Line's agent built using Microsoft Copilot Studio Intent recognition is driven through GPT-4o working through Power Automate Performance monitoring is done through Adobe Analytics and Azure Application Insights An AI gateway connects booking and CRM systems the first-generation Anna was refined through a multi-wave it was made available as a tool for contact center agents to answer customer questions and then it was tested internally with all employees starting with making it available to 5% of customers and then 100% of all customers visiting the website Holland America Line expects to ramp up engagement levels as it continues expanding Anna’s capabilities Copilot Studio also made it easy to take this feedback and refine the agent we are able to quickly assess what was answered and not answered by Anna then organize responses into clear topics and categories so we know exactly where to focus our time on content updates.” Using generative answers, along with a highly effective monitoring and training process, the agent has achieved strong  resolution rates  with early users and is currently handling thousands of conversations per week The excellent response rates by Anna are helping deliver more of the information customers need faster This is reflected in the latest business results “What we’re finding is that when customers engage with Anna they are more likely to find the right cruise that fits their needs than if they do not engage at all,” says Pettit there are early indications that Anna will reduce the number of basic informational queries to contact center agents The team continues to expand Anna’s capabilities This first MVP release of Anna is currently running in the United States equipped with market-specific cruise and booking information Anna will also soon be introduced in non-English markets Holland America Line is poised to advance the AI capabilities of its agent by integrating additional secondary flows as well as find specific information about port and destination interests These advancements will enhance the experience throughout a customer’s journey shares her perspective on how AI-powered agents are transforming marketing An unexpected effect of implementing generative AI is that we’re gaining insights and understanding what’s changing in the cruise industry These insights are going to transform how we continue to go to market We’re able to localize our marketing using AI capabilities and we’re able to get to market faster because AI helps us define audiences and media opportunities in a fraction of the time The real opportunity is around the guest experience and deepening our relationship with them we can have one-to-one conversations with guests AI is also enriching my employees’ experience I think marketing really starts to become a creative powerhouse limited only by our ability to dream and we’re seeing a fundamental shift in our capabilities What was once out of reach is now something we can pull a daily report about We are Microsoft Empowering others Our mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more The Magnify community recently shared a quote from the late Sister Patricia Holland that resonated with thousands on Instagram: I have learned through several fatiguing failures that you can’t have joy being bubbly if you’re not a bubbly person I have given up seeing myself as a flawed person Giving this up has freed me to embrace and rejoice in my own manner and personality “My personality was created to fit precisely the mission and talents [God] gave me I have found that I have untold abundant sources of energy to be myself But the moment I indulge in imitation of my neighbor I feel fractured and fatigued and find myself forever swimming upstream we deprive this world and God’s kingdom of our unique contributions God never gave us any task beyond our ability to accomplish it We just have to be willing to do it our own way We will always have enough resources for being who we are and what we can become.” This quote can be found in the section Divine Purpose in the book An Eye Single People commented on how much these words meant to them: She shared why her mom was able to articulate the ideas above that resonated with so many “She was only able to think and write something like that because she earned it she’s just naturally so loving and naturally has such good self-confidence and relationship with the Lord But my mom had to earn that in the way that each of us do through her love of the scriptures and through prayer Mary Alice recently compiled a book of thoughts and teachings by her mom She began the project with her own grandchildren in mind “I want [my grandchildren] to know what a powerful faith that she had from her very earliest childhood And then also just her wisdom and insight,” Mary Alice says This inspiring compilation is now available to everyone in the form of a beautiful book Hear more from Mary Alice Holland McCann about the life and teachings of her mother on the Magnify podcast. Sign in Join now, it's FREE! It was an eventful weekend in North Bay for the Algonquin Regiment as it hosted dignitaries from the Netherlands and Timmins in observance of Liberation Weekend and coinciding with ceremonies overseas and domestic marking the liberation of Dutch towns and villages by Allied forces in the last year of the Second World War and the approaching 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (V.E.) Day it is a milestone year for the Algonquin Regiment in 2025 as it celebrates its 125th anniversary As part of the 4th Canadian Armoured Division, the Algonquin Regiment played an important role in the liberation of the Netherlands creating a bond that has endured over 80 years.  See related: Overseas tour follows the path of the historical Algonquin Regiment See clips below from Ne-Kah-Ne-Tah: The Liberation of Welberg with expert contributions from historians Anna Pearson (York University) Stephen Connor (Nipissing University) and Robert Catsburg (Welberg Liberation Memorial Foundation) joined by Mayor Peter Chirico of North Bay and Mayor Michelle Boileau of Timmins (each city is home to an Algonquin Regiment company), Mayor Ruud van den Belt of Steenbergen (Welberg The Netherlands) officially presented the Algonquin Regiment with its own Welberg Bell. On Sunday the bell was rung in unison with the Welberg Bell in the Netherlands and the South Alberta Light Horse Bell in Edmonton to commemorate those who have died and the connection the communities have in this collective loss Donated by the Liberation Monument Foundation Welberg This bell is related to the bell of the Liberation Monument Welberg in the Netherlands That monument was erected in 2004 in remembrance of the civilian and Canadian casualties during the liberation of Welberg and Steenbergen in 1944 This bell is a gift to the Algonquin Regiment as a token of gratitude for their contribution to liberate Welberg and Steenbergen during the Battle of the Scheldt It expresses the feelings of friendship between our community the Algonquins and Canada and the feelings of joint responsibility for freedom and democracy Just like the bell donated to the South Alberta Light Horse Regiment this bell also is connected in kindred spirit to the bell of the Welberg monument The three bells at least once a year will sound simultaneously to honour the fallen and express hope for the future For more on the significance of the Welberg Bell the regiment hosted a dinner at the Martin Leo Troy Armoury where Mayor van den Belt was the guest of honour The visiting mayor gave a presentation on the Welberg Bell. Stephen Connor of Nipissing University spoke about the connection between the Algonquin Regiment and the village of Welberg.  Liberation Weekend opened on Saturday morning with the unveiling of a plaque commissioned by the City of North Bay's Municipal Heritage Committee in collaboration with the Algonquin Regiment. The plaque tells the story of the Algonquin Regiment War Memorial which links the community with the Algonquin Regiment in the place where its cenotaph once stood at Algonquin Avenue and Jane Street a special declaration signing will take place at North Bay City Hall and Mayor van den Belt of Steenbergen will formally recognize the lasting bonds of friendship and remembrance shared between their communities “This event honours the profound legacy of the Algonquin Regiment and its deep ties to our City,” said Mayor Chirico Movies in theaters Movies at Home Florence Pugh Movies and Shows (Thunderbolts) What to Watch: In Theaters and On Streaming Weekend Box Office: Thunderbolts* Secures $76 Million Debut New Movies and Shows streaming in May: What to Watch on Netflix Watch Holland with a subscription on Prime Video Holland's impressive style can't paper over a hollow script Every contribution counts — we must act now we must also look forward – to a vision of freedom not hijacked by hatred May 5 is the day the freedom is celebrated in the Netherlands But that freedom is increasingly under threat and authoritarian tendencies are driving a shift toward the far right Along with that shift comes an ideology rooted in racism and exclusion – ideals that are gaining ground in our country Freedom alone is not enough to counter the destructive forces represented by the PVV and its supporters Ethics and social justice must go hand in hand with freedom These values are inseparable – because freedom without justice and equality is not true freedom It undermines the foundations of our democracy and the rule of law And that’s not the path that will lead us out of the downward spiral we currently face That’s why DiEM25 in the Netherlands is actively working to build and shape our political party We believe that freedom belongs to everyone – not that one person’s freedom should come at the expense of another’s the West has forgotten what Aristotle taught us: that virtue and ethics are inseparably tied to both freedom and economics MERA25 Netherlands is committed to restoring these values to their rightful place We believe in an inclusive society where people work together to make collective freedom a reality We know we can do better than fighting over scraps of freedom that remain out of reach for most while the gap between rich and poor grows ever wider If we don’t work together to achieve real freedom it will remain nothing more than a hollow dream That’s why we’re committed to MERA25 Netherlands we won’t just dream of freedom and equality – we will make it real Do you want to be informed of DiEM25's actions? Sign up here we must also look forward - to a vision of freedom not hijacked by hatred Hopefully we will all pause for two minutes to reflect on the atrocities committed in the past As Romanians prepare to head to the polls on May 4 and 18 they do so under the shadow of a deep betrayal of democracy those who challenge the dominant narratives are silenced by Justin Berger & Matthew Yates (WLOS) — An annual Spruce Pine charity run continues this year despite extensive damage to the town in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene The Run for Holland was launched 12 years ago to raise awareness for those with disabilities The race came around the same time as their daughter what that meant for her and her life," Adam Burleson said “The big kind of turning point for us was having a meeting with a genetic counselor and she gave us a story called 'Welcome to Holland.'" 'Welcome to Holland' is a short story by Emily Perl Kingsley "It’s like you plan a trip to Italy is you getting pregnant – you buy the guidebooks And then having a child with a disability is like the pilot says: 'You’ve now landed in Holland,' and there you must stay and if you spend your whole life wishing you’d gone to Italy. you’ll never look around and see that Holland has Rembrandts and Holland has tulips and Holland has windmills,” Adam said the Run for Holland has raised around $150,000 to provide resources for those with special needs “The community comes out for this event to support this," Michelle Lord the co-coordinator for the Special Olympics in Avery Shortened to just a 5k and one-mile fun run this year because of Helene families across the mountains are excited to participate have three children: twin boys and a one-year-old daughter “We didn’t find out anything until she was six months old,” Cody said "We had many days on the floor in the bedroom just crying and the boys saw that and they didn’t understand what’s going on and things like that we know where our strength comes from and we gave those emotions to the Lord and He pulled us up out of the floor.” “She is always happy," Madison said about Ava "I feel like she brings just happiness and an overwhelming joy to people around her We’ve seen that everywhere we go; everybody is just happy to see Ava It was a challenge for the Owenby family to wrap their heads around in the beginning But in the months following Ava's diagnosis life was a struggle before he even entered the world “He was supposed to have multiple holes in his heart and they saw that there was nothing wrong with it," his mom "It was a rollercoaster being pregnant with him.” Desmond was born with autism and with holes in his esophagus but that has not stopped him from enjoying what life has to offer Both Ava and Desmond will participate in specialized racing wheelchairs known as Track Commanders CAROLINA MOMENT: ARTIST CAPTURES FLOOD RECOVERY THROUGH HISTORIC TINTYPE PHOTOGRAPHY Holland will participate in the 5k and help her dad with ceremonial duties maybe it's the last year we are going to lead it you want to tell him what you said – the reason you might not like that?” I might want to be the director of Run for Holland,'" she told her dad Adam Burleson said he is one "very proud papa." Renowned airshow pilot and aerobatic competitor Rob Holland died when his single-seat MX Aircraft MXS aircraft crashed while on approach at Langley Air Force Base in Hampton Holland’s Instagram page confirmed his death “It is with the heaviest of hearts that I am sharing that Rob Holland lost his life today The cause of the crash is not known at this time and is under investigation by the FAA A base spokesperson confirmed that a crash occurred but could not provide details. ADS-B data showed Holland’s aircraft flying from Smyrna Airport in Smyrna, Tennessee, and arriving at Langley just after 11:30 a.m Holland was the 2008 World Advanced Aerobatic Champion which also described him earning his private pilot certificate as a teenager He developed his aerobatic skills while building time towing banners and as a corporate pilot and flight instructor In a 2011 profile in Sport Aerobatics magazine, Holland described how a chance meeting with the owner of a Steen Skybolt at Boire Field in Nashua led to his first inverted flight experience and kicked off his aerobatics career an all-carbon-fiber single-seat airplane designed and built by MX Aircraft specifically for aerobatic competition Holland performed airshows across North America and was a staple at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh “Rob was one of the most respected and inspiring aerobatic pilots in aviation history Even with an absolutely impressive list of accomplishments both in classical competition aerobatics and within the air show world Rob was the most humble person with a singular goal to simply be better than he was yesterday.” An estimated 140,000 to 160,000 people took part in Freedom Meals across the Netherlands on Monday According to the National Committee for 4 and 5 May a total of 1,200 Freedom Meals—known in Dutch as Vrijheidsmaaltijden—were organized throughout the country The Freedom Meals are intended to bring together people of all ages and backgrounds to talk about themes of freedom and oppression Organizers said meals took place in more than 80 percent of Dutch municipalities highlighting strong nationwide participation Each Freedom Meal includes a traditional “freedom soup” served to guests as a symbol of shared values and reflection This year’s soup recipe was created by Jet van Nieuwkerk a Dutch television presenter and food journalist known for promoting healthy cooking Her recipe was served at all locations hosting the event King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima joined residents at a Freedom Meal held in the Morgenstond neighborhood of The Hague 2025 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM EDT First United Methodist Church 57 West 10th Street Holland 2025 4:00 PM EDT First United Methodist Church 57 West 10th Street Holland we celebrate the full and joyful life of Paul Leon Sale who returned to the love and care of God on April 25 with the care of hospice and at the home he loved A graduate of Holland High School and DeVry Technical Center the company still runs strong under the leadership of his son Kurt — a true testament to Paul’s success and steady determination He was the guy who could fix anything—and if he couldn’t and sailing—anything that got him out on the lake or by its shore He and Bozena spent 20 winters in sunny Florida where his fishing pole and boat saw plenty of action He was incredibly social and genuinely loved connecting with people—there was always room at the table He was known for his signature phrases—“Ok life is good!” and the ever-upbeat “fine and dandy”—always delivered with a sparkle in his eye at First United Methodist Church of Holland A celebratory gathering will then take place on Thursday at the Macatawa Bay Yacht Club from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m He leaves behind a family and friends who will miss him dearly—but who will keep his legacy alive every time something is lovingly fixed Professional service entrusted to the Downtown Chapel JavaScript is disabled. In order to use all of the features on dykstrafuneralhome.com, enable JavaScript.Close HOLLAND — As the countdown continues to Tulip Time The Sentinel has compiled a list of the best restaurants to frequent during Holland's biggest celebration of the year but are often extended during the festival This teeny-tiny restaurant on Eighth Street often has a line down the block as early as 7 a.m The fair-priced fare includes all-day breakfast and lunch items serving up its first dishes under the name in the 1960s The Wooden Shoe Restaurant has catered to early-risers with tasty omelets and hearty breakfast combos The Wooden Shoe is best known for its pigs-in-a-blanket and enormous Russ' actually has three Holland locations The brand started in Holland in the 1930s when J Russel “Russ” Bouws purchased a tiny restaurant on the bend of Chicago Drive the restaurant is known for its family-friendly atmosphere including apple dumplings and coconut cream pies For authentic Dutch goods: DeBoer BakkerijAddress: 360 Douglas Ave DeBoer offers authentic Dutch fare at its northside location on Douglas Avenue in addition to its usual breakfast dishes and fresh-baked breads DeBoer also has a southside location at 380 W Where to shop: Must-see specialty shops in downtown Holland during festival Boatwerks is the best way to eat on the waterfront in downtown Holland The upscale menu includes crab mac and cheese shrimp linguine and a variety of tasty desserts woodsy atmosphere with breakfast skillets and specials served daily both inside and on the restaurant's new patio Holland is chock-full of great breakfast options and one of them — The Biscuit  — provides a ready-made opportunity to visit the Washington Square neighborhood breakfast tacos and grain and veggie bowls For Mexican fare: Mi Favorita GroceryAddress: 408 Columbia Ave It's hard to visit Holland without trying some of the region's impressive Mexican fare The small family business is often hailed as the most authentic place to get Mexican food in the area Where to get photos: The best photo spots during Holland's annual Tulip Time Festival For dessert: Captain SundaeAddress: 365 Douglas Ave hit-the-spot desserts in Holland are found at Captain Sundae The location on Douglas Avenue is the original with plenty of outdoor seating and a miniature golf course to explore The shop is located conveniently down the road from Holland State Park Holland is home to an array of impressive breweries The menu of New Holland's downtown pub includes its famous pizza pinwheels sandwiches and — of course — signature cocktails — Contact editor Cassandra Lybrink at clybrink@hollandsentinel.com HOLLAND — After months of planning and anticipation thousands of tourists are descending on Holland to take in the star of the show — the tulips While each year the big question is whether the tulips will reach peak bloom during Tulip Time is: Where's the best place to see the tulips The best spot to see the tulips during Holland's Tulip Time is Centennial Park, which earned 39.47% of the vote. Centennial Park The Victorian-era park has two beautiful fountains plenty of benches for seating and a yellow brick road filled with dedications More: The Sentinel's Ultimate Guide to Tulip Time 2025: Everything you need to know In second place was Windmill Island Gardens The gardens aren't free to visit during Tulip Time You'll pay $15 per adult and $7 for children aged 3-15 has over 125,000 tulips planted in large fields and smaller beds Between the blooming flowers and the authentic De Zwaan Windmill as a backdrop the attraction is a favorite for professional and nonprofessional photographers alike In third place was Window on the Waterfront, accessible via Sixth Street In fourth place was Veldheer Tulip Gardens This secluded spot in Holland Township has 6 million tulips of 850 varieties Admission this year is $17 for ages 14 and older including Nelis' Dutch Village and Eighth Street Today is the day that the Netherlands has run out of the raw materials that the earth can produce for it in a year, according to the Global Footprint Network but the improvement is not because the Netherlands has become more sustainable The overshoot date for each country is calculated by dividing the availability of natural resources (biocapacity) by its consumption (ecological footprint) and then multiplying it by the number of days in a year which is why its overshoot day falls early in the year “If everyone in the world lived like the Dutch, we would have used up everything the earth can renew in a year by May 5,” Joost Brinkman, the Dutch researcher involved in the annual study, explained to NU.nl you can reason with common sense that at some point you will get into trouble if you spend more than you earn for years in a row.” overshoot day for the Netherlands was April 1 but the improvement is because of better data on Dutch exports not because the Dutch became that much more sustainable in one year the ecological footprint per Dutch person has decreased by 40 percent due to climate policy the Netherlands’ biocapacity was reduced by half the day on which the world population has used up all the resources the planet can renew in a year KLN Logistics Group Limited has expanded its presence in the Europe and Africa (EMEA) region with the opening of a new 61,000 sq ft bonded logistics facility in Hoofddorp This expansion involves upgrading its existing Hoofddorp site to a larger warehouse and processing center to address the increasing demand for e-commerce capacity The new Hoofddorp facility has dedicated 40 percent of its operations to handling e-commerce shipments Equipped with a specialized warehouse and six loading docks the facility enables KLN to offer comprehensive solutions and distribution services to its customers “This new facility will enhance our operational capacity in the Netherlands and the EMEA region particularly in response to the recent growth in e-commerce with up to 40 percent of our capacity dedicated to this emerging market Our team is eager to transition to this new facility which is easily accessible and equipped with state-of-the-art technology to improve the efficiency and quality of operations.” The Hoofddorp facility is strategically located less than 30 kilometers from Amsterdam and under 60 kilometers from Rotterdam This new facility complements KLN’s existing operations in Rotterdam and Middelharnis further strengthening its network in the Netherlands อัพเดตข่าวสารและบทความที่น่าสนใจในอุตสาหกรรมโลจิสติกส์ก่อนใคร ผ่าน Line Official Account @Logistics Mananger เพียงเพิ่มเราเป็นเพื่อน @Logistics Manager หรือคลิกที่นี่ — One of the most popular festivals in West Michigan has returned Holland's Tulip Time festival kicked off Friday It's starting on the first Friday of May rather than its traditional first Saturday of May giving visitors another day of festivities this year's festival will be celebrating the 90th anniversary of Dutch Dance an integral and popular part of Tulip Time To celebrate Dutch Dance's 90th anniversary the festival will feature traditional performances designed for parents and children from baby to early elementary age Popular country music artist Rodney Atkins is also slated to perform at the festival on May 9 Other features in the festival include guided walking tours The Tulip Time festival runs from May 2 to 11. More information, including events and tickets, can be found here Much of the Netherlands remained dry and cool on Monday evening, May 5, with clear skies dominating across most of the country and temperatures expected to drop sharply overnight. According to meteorological forecasts colder-than-usual weather will continue through Tuesday and Wednesday but conditions are set to become warmer and sunnier later in the week Temperatures are set to drop sharply under the clear sky and light wind overnight lows were forecast to reach near freezing The coldest spots in the south were expected to fall to around 4 degrees while coastal regions would remain slightly milder with temperatures dipping to about 6 degrees low-lying clouds will likely drift inland from the North Sea and move into the far north central and southern parts of the country are expected to begin the day with significant sunshine while northern regions will see heavier cloud cover the cloud layer is expected to expand southward though precipitation is expected to be minimal Temperatures will remain below normal for early May A mostly moderate wind from the north will hold highs to around 12 degrees in the north and up to 16 degrees locally in the south temperatures this time of year range from 14 to 18 degrees A similar pattern is expected on Wednesday with dense cloud cover dominating much of the country skies are expected to clear in many places Daytime highs will range from 13 to 17 degrees The second half of the week will bring a longer stretch of dry weather Inland areas are forecast to reach around 20 degrees by the weekend The return of strong spring sunshine will offer more comfortable conditions for outdoor activity