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Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Welcomes Carol Kendra as Chief Operating Officer
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is pleased to announce the hiring of Carol Kendra as its first Chief Operating Officer. With a distinguished career in strategic development and community engagement, Kendra brings a unique blend of passion, vision, and expertise to Meijer Gardens. She will begin her tenure at Meijer Gardens on January 2, 2024.
“We are elated to have Carol join our team,” said Charles Burke, President & CEO of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. “Her depth of experience and commitment to innovation aligns seamlessly with our mission and vision for the future.”
About Carol Kendra
A purpose-driven leader, Kendra has dedicated her career to elevating organizations through innovative strategies, effective marketing and meaningful community partnerships. Her broad-ranging skills in Strategy, Business Development, Marketing, Communications and more make her an invaluable addition to the Meijer Gardens executive leadership team.
Extensive Experience and a Track Record of Success
Prior to joining Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, Kendra served as Vice President of Business Development, Strategic Growth, and Engagement at The Henry Ford in Dearborn, Michigan. Under her visionary leadership, the institution underwent a significant transformation, rebranding itself as a destination of national and international acclaim. She also initiated several groundbreaking marketing strategies that set new records in attendance, membership and revenue streams.
A Dedication to Community and Culture
Outside of her professional pursuits, Kendra is an artist, an avid gardener, and a passionate traveler. Her commitment to the community was most recently demonstrated through her co-founding during the Covid-19 pandemic of the Plymouth unFAIR, a grassroots initiative to support emerging artists and creators.
A Vision for the Future
In her new role, Carol Kendra aims to leverage her diverse experience to enhance Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park’s visitor experience, operational efficiency, and community impact.
“I am excited to contribute to an institution that holds such a special place in the hearts of so many,” said Kendra. “My mission is to propel this cultural gem to new heights, creating unparalleled visitor experiences while ensuring its continued growth and transformation.”
About Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, one of the world’s most significant botanic and sculpture experiences, was recently named the Top Sculpture Park in the United States by USA Today’s “10Best Readers’ Choice 2023” and listed as the 81st-most visited museum in the world by The Art Newspaper, the leading global art news publication. Education programs welcome 80,000 students and guests each year. Culinary Arts & Events offerings include weddings, corporate meetings and award-winning catering. The 158-acre main campus features Michigan’s largest tropical conservatory; one of the country’s largest interactive children’s gardens; arid and Victorian gardens with bronze sculptures by Edgar Degas and Auguste Rodin; a carnivorous plant house; outdoor gardens, including a replica 1930s-era farm garden; an eight-acre Japanese garden featuring contemporary sculpture; and a 1,900-seat outdoor amphitheater garden, showcasing an eclectic mix of world-renowned touring musicians each summer. The permanent collection highlights hundreds of sculptures from internationally acclaimed artists Magdalena Abakanowicz, El Anatsui, Louise Bourgeois, Alexander Calder, Mark di Suvero, Marshall Fredericks, Henry Moore, Michele Oka Donor, Beverly Pepper, Jaume Plensa, Auguste Rodin, Richard Serra, Yinka Shonibare CBE and Ai Weiwei, among others. Indoor galleries with changing sculpture exhibitions have presented shows by Jonathan Borofsky, Edgar Degas, Jim Dine, Richard Hunt, Cristina Iglesias, Rebecca Louise Law, Pablo Picasso, George Segal and others.
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park promotes the enjoyment, understanding, and appreciation of gardens, sculpture, the natural environment, and the arts.
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Merry Christmas 🎄
Art by LULU.LIVE Art
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Bandolier Wrapped: See Which Celeb Wore Non-Stop!
Bandolier has been a staple in the lives of celebs, influencers, and editors but who takes the crown as “Queen Bandolier Stan 2023”?! While celebs like Malin Akerman, Vanessa Hudgens, Zooey Deschanel and more tried their best it’s Alessandra Ambrosio, spotted in the brand 28 times this year, who we’ve crowned!
Allessandra styled her Bandolier Gia Crossbody ($98) nonstop this year, from laid back sweats to run errands, snapping selfies in a chic matching set or a quick farmers market run the supermodel never left home without her trusty case.
See a glimpse of Alessandra and more Bandolier lover’s below – let me know if you might be working on anything the brand is a fit for or need any additional info! Bandolier is available via their site, affiliated via SkimLinks: 50329, as well as Amazon.
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Embrace the chilly days with these must-haves from Cap’n Coconut for the season.
Designed by a licensed esthetician, Cap’n Coconut is woman-owned and the perfect solution thousands of people need to achieve the healthy skin they want. The founder handcrafted the best-selling Body Balm while in recovery from melanoma treatments, becoming passionate about clean, natural skincare that is honest as well as effective.
Using all-natural ingredients like pineapple oil, coffee beans, locally sourced Jacobson sea salt, coconut oil and more – your skin will be feeling soft and smooth just in time for summer. Let the season of warmth and relaxation begin with these great products!
Stay loose and warm up your core with a cozy soak in Cap’n Coconut Pineapple Face & Body Polish. Coconut Brighten up that beautiful face with this Face & Lip Polish. Moisturizing oils, soothing honey, scrubby sugar, and a twist of pineapple create a light putty with a gentle, juicy formula.
Let Cap’n Coconut Body Balm be your winter shield, bringing deep, nourishing, barrier protection and restoring moisture to even the driest of skin. Keep your skin sealed, healed, and moisturized from top to bottom with this Body Balm. This luxurious blend is full of the good stuff and smells like a tropical dream.
And who says beach waves are just for summer? Keep your beach vibes alive all year with Mermaid Hair! Sound the sirens—Mermaid Hair is here. This beachy, lightweight hairspray is infused with oils and sea salt to provide just the right amount of moisture, grit, and body for long or short hair. Plus, it smells otherworldly good. Proudly made with Jacobsen Sea Salt from Netarts Bay, here on the Oregon Coast.
Indulge in each separately or dive into ultimate winter pampering and save with these Winter Essentials. Cap’n Coconut was born on a rainy day in Portland, Oregon. They continue to grow and glow out on the beautiful Oregon Coast, surrounded by waves, sand, sunshine, and, yeah, more rain. They use consciously-chosen natural ingredients, paired with scents and textures that leave you feeling as refreshed and nourished as a return from a tropical vacation. They know every day can’t feel like a day by the sea, so they’re here to add a burst of sunshine to your self-care routine, no matter where you are.
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Brighten Bathtime with Multicolored, Non-Stain Kids’ Bath Bombs for Girls & Boys
Make Baths a Blast – Send imaginations soaring while your tot’s favorite Peppa Pig & Family mini bath bombs for kids fizz, swirl, and transform tub time into a rainbow-colored wonderland of simple, splashy fun!
These bath bombs are perfect for children’s skin, providing peace of mind as your kids have fun while bathing. No need to worry about any harmful reactions! Make bath time super fun! These bath bombs are made from natural ingredients and do not contain harmful chemicals. They provide a wholesome bathing experience, ensuring the utmost care for your child’s delicate skin and making bath time exciting.
Elevate bath time into a magical experience with Peppa Pig bath bombs. They captivate young imaginations, transforming ordinary baths into vibrant and playful adventures. Watch as the water is filled with colors and fragrances. Packed with child-friendly scents and colors, they add an element of fun to self-care. The delightful Peppa Pig theme enhances the appeal, making it a charming and thoughtful present.
Watch your child’s eyes light up when they unwrap their Peppa Pig & Family -shaped toddler bath bombs for kids. Boys and girls who hate bathing can finally look forward to an exciting clean. Turn chaotic tub time into fun play with your rainbow bath bombs for kids. Distract kids from cumbersome cleaning, and keep your tub white with your bomb’s stain-free formula.
Use Bathletes World natural bath bombs for kids to help squirmy tots feel comfy, let kids’ skin stay soft, and squeeze more time for effortless family fun into your busy days. Give your little one a gentler bathtime with your naturally made, skin-kind kid bath bombs. For boys and girls whose parents care about comfort, choose Bathletes World. -
5 Tips for Better Mental Health this Holiday Sea
Many will struggle over the holidays. Many of us come from far from fairy tale families. Many are isolated and lonely, without people they really care for and are cared about by. Not to mention the multitude struggling with mental health problems like depression, which can make the expectations of the season extraordinarily hard to bear.Whichever of these groups you fall within, I offer a few suggestions below to help make this holiday season a hopefully happier, or at a minimum easier, one to manage one.
1. Take time to connect. Social connections are good for your mental health. Share the important moments and stories of your year. Ask questions and create space to really listen and understand the people you are with. You might be surprised what you hear.
2. Take a break from social media, and perhaps from technology in general. The last 20 years has seen a fundamental decline in the quality of interpersonal relationships as we have moved too much of our lives onto online platforms. Put away your phone, stay off technology when you are with friends and family and spend time in the physical world. If you feel bored, don’t reach for your phone and distraction: talk to someone, go for a walk or just sit with the feeling.
3. Think about who you are connecting with this holiday season. Not all social connections are good for your mental health. You know what the people around you are really like, who is going to be supportive and those who are just going to drag you down further. Don’t be afraid to let this guide whom you spend meaningful time with, and as importantly, with whom you don’t.
4. Discover what it is truly you want to do for the holidays. Holidays don’t mean the same thing to everyone. If you are uncertain, spend some time to reflect on what is important to you at this time of year. How can you express your values, what will be meaningful, what is your way of acknowledging the end of the year, and of nurturing your relationships? If your thing is to cherish others through food, embrace this, be the family cook and throw yourself into it with all your passion. If it is to be the entertainer, be so, tell stories and do so with enthusiasm. Whatever it is, ensure it is what is true of you.
5. Make sure you find a way to reset and recharge. For some this will come through social reconnection but certainly not everyone. Others may need to be in nature or at least outside somewhere pleasant: if this is you make the effort to do so, even if you need to rug up. Bring along someone who you really want to be with, or not, choose what you need to do.
About the Author
Paul Fitzgerald, PhD, MBBS is Director of the School of Medicine and Psychology and a Professor of Psychiatry at the Australian National University in Canberra, Australia. He completed his Medical Degree at Monash University followed by a Masters of Psychological Medicine and professional training in Psychiatry leading to membership of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists. After a fellowship at the University of Toronto, he completed a research PhD in Psychiatry. In his new book, Curing Stubborn Depression, Dr. Fitzgerald dispels the myths surrounding depression and its care as well as delves into the emerging range of new treatments currently transforming how this condition is managed, especially in its most serious form.
