Ashlee De Wit
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Ashlee De Wit is a freelance writer and a Lansing native. After starting her career covering high school sports in Iowa, she's excited to be back in her hometown, reporting the stories of her local community — such as the opening of Troost, the informal Lansing pickleball club, a TF South Homecoming game, and Common Ground, Lansing's experiment with healthy race relations.
Online drama
When lockdown closes the curtain on Lansing Christian School play, students make switch to radio theater
by Ashlee De Wit
LANSING, ILL (May 26, 2020) — The show must go on—but what if the show is a junior high play, scheduled during a global pandemic?
Then you change it to radio...
Posters, cut-outs, and stuffed animals fill in for congregation at New Hope Church
by Ashlee De Wit
LANSING, Ill. (May 17, 2020) — For the past nine weeks, Pastor Dan Roels of New Hope Church in Lansing has walked up to his pulpit and delivered his sermon to a camera and an empty sanctuary.
Well, not this week.
The church members are still following...
Virtual Reality: Lansing Christian School teachers share challenges, triumphs from taking their classrooms online
by Ashlee De Wit
LANSING, Ill. (May 7, 2020) — Schools are closed, but on a daily basis teachers are still working to help their students learn what they need to know, deal with their emotions surrounding this new reality, and prepare them for the next academic year. Teachers at...
Happy Teacher Appreciation Week, Lansing teachers!
by Ashlee De Wit
LANSING, Ill. (May 5, 2020) - This week is officially Teacher Appreciation Week, and this year, teachers deserve some extra appreciation.
The COVID-19 outbreak has disrupted the lives of teachers—along with administrators, staff, students, and parents—across the nation. Illinois schools have been closed for in-person learning since...
Church volunteers reach out to help Lansing residents during pandemic
by Ashlee De Wit
LANSING, Ill. (March 16, 2020) — Village Trustee Jerry Zeldenrust is coordinating efforts between the Village and local churches to help local residents who are in need of assistance during the COVID-19 outbreak.
“The Municipal Center anticipates that many of our elderly who are self-quarantined may be...
Towne Interiors celebrates 65 years
Small business has seen many changes over the decades, but aims to continue serving Lansing with integrity
By Ashlee De Wit
LANSING, Ill. (February 1, 2020) – Just off the corner of Burnham and Ridge Road in downtown Lansing, a local business is quietly celebrating a big milestone: 65 years of...
Love for Lansing becomes informal network of community-focused churches
Working together, volunteers address a variety of needs
by Ashlee De Wit
LANSING, Ill. (October 10, 2019) — At a church on the east side of Lansing, there’s a member who gives lessons in English for those who want to learn. Word is spreading, and soon there are too many...
5,000 oliebollen
by Ashlee De Wit
LANSING, Ill. (October 1, 2019) — Mix 190 pounds of flour with 230 pounds of sugar, 29 dozen eggs, 68 quarts of buttermilk, and 150 pounds of raisins. Add in two days and a lot of manpower hours—what do you get? At Lansing Christian School last...
Sandler’s Shoes takes steps toward more medical approach
by Ashlee De Wit
LANSING, IL (August 30, 2019) — Under new ownership, a long-time Lansing business is taking steps toward a more medical approach to footwear.
Derek Schwartz took over Sandler’s Shoes on Ridge Road in February 2019. Second-generation owner Beverly Sandler is expected to officially transfer ownership to Schwartz...
Lansing welcomes The Hanger to Ridge Road
Owner Sheena Lane brings boutique shopping to the suburbs
by Ashlee De Wit
LANSING, Ill. (July 1, 2019) — Village officials, Chamber members, friends, and family gathered on Ridge Road to celebrate the upcoming opening of The Hanger Boutique with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday, July 1.
Owner Sheena Lane cut...