Woodchopper’s Ball July 11, 2019
For the third year, The Salvation Army of Grand Haven in conjunction with D. Baker and Son Lumber Company will host The Woodchopper’s Ball at Baker Lumber, July 11.
This year’s event also will make a chance for the community members to meet the newly assigned Salvation Army leaders, Majors Heather and William Holman. The Holmans have come to Grand Haven, taking over for Majors Sally and Jay Davis, who have been assigned to Sheboygan, WI.
The event begins with The Heritage Hill String Quartet from 5:45 to just before 7 p.m., and then the Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra playing from its dance book from 7-9 p.m. This year Righteous Cuisine is selling portable eats from its food truck. There will be drinks available from D&W.
The only thing attendees might need to bring in addition to would be folding chairs.
For the second year, there is no admission charge.
“But we hope that people will find it in their hearts to support this most needed community organization,” said volunteer co-organizer David Schock. “Some people may give a lot, others a little, but we are cognizant of the power of intention. The widow’s mite continues to carry its blessing.”
As well, said Schock, the dance is a great opportunity for families to use the event as a locus for family occasions: “We have one couple who is planning to an anniversary party there. They are inviting their friends. So, we like to encourage families to make use of the event for celebration.”
The event also celebrates the legacy of the lumberyard: the late Doug Baker, was both a lumberman and a professional sax player.
“Doug was a great talent,” said Schock, who had plenty of opportunities to play with the elder Baker. “And he chose to play as a serious avocation and work in the family business. I think it was he who—in honor of the legendary Woody Herman tune ‘Woodchopper’s Ball’—dubbed his lumberyard the ‘Home of the Woodchopper.’ And now this event brings it all together again, maybe even as he intended.”
Nada Edson (née Baker) co-owns the lumberyard with her uncle, Bruce Baker. She is one of three fifth-generation descendants who now work at the lumberyard. “Gramps and Grama instilled a sense of community, goodwill, appreciation of music and all other arts that runs deep through our entire family,” she said. “We are proud to be Bakers and to be able to support the community and The Salvation Army by hosting The Woodchopper’s Ball.”
The lumberyard is also hosts an annual arts show, Art at the Yard, to benefit not only art lovers and local artists but also the Grand Haven Schools Foundation.
The Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra is under the direction of saxophonist Bob Nixon. While the GRJO is a contemporary big band, for this event it will be playing from its dance book, and include tunes that are well known and have been long appreciated.
Along with D. Baker and Son Lumber Company, The Salvation Army of Grand Haven is grateful for D&W Fresh Market, Pit Stop Portable Restrooms, and Christian Haven Independent and Assisted Living Center for their support in hosting this event. Underwriters for the music include Coldwell Banker Woodland Schmidt, The Village at the Pines, The Village at Rosy Mound, WestWind Construction, and penULTIMATE, Ltd.
D. Baker and Son Lumber Company, located at 720 Pennoyer Avenue, Grand Haven, MI, 49417.