Dancing with the Local Stars Enters Season 15
Once again, the 2023 Dancing with the Local Stars (DWLS) takes place on February 24 through 25 at the VanDyk Mortgage Convention Center at 460 W. Western Ave. in Muskegon. These fifteen years of fun and frolic have netted thousands of dollars for local charities and it couldn’t be more enjoyable or entertaining if they tried!
The theme this year is “Fabulous 50s” and 38 local dignitaries, business owners, and civil servants will join twelve professional dancers during the two-day event. Proceeds will support local programs and food pantries in Muskegon County and parts of Oceana and Ottawa counties.
Last year’s entertainment raised $258,240 and was the biggest-ever event! Funds are generally raised by the dancers, sponsors, and through community donations. Cast members also organize a variety of fundraising activities, in addition to distributing community canisters throughout the area.
Mary Kendall, the DWLS co-chair, has no doubts that this year’s event will again break records.
“Between the pandemic and the fluctuating economy, one thing has remained certain: this community’s love and support of others,” Kendall said. “Dancing With the Local Stars remains the community event that everyone can count on to make an impact in a fun and engaging way.“
The full lineup of community dancers includes Wander West Michigan’s own Sara Moore, owner/creator of the company.
“I am so excited to be joining this diverse group of individuals who are all coming together to help the local community,” says Moore. “It’s going to be a great show!”
Meet the Local Stars:
- Liberty Abraham, Nurse Practitioner at Premier Health MD
- Amanda Alexander, Senior Vice President of Sales at iHeartMedia West Michigan
- Beth Bessinger, Artist and Retired Teacher
- Daniel Bonner, Outdoor Adventure Specialist at Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Park
- Thea Brown, Support Coordinator at Senior Resources of West Michigan
- Josh Bytwerk, Executive Director of Love in Action Tri-Cities
- Andrew Cutler, President of Muskegon Brake and Tire
- Mario Flores, Branch Manager of VanDyk Mortgage Corporation
- Eddie Fortenbacher, Founder and Co-Owner of Fort Freight, LLC
- Jeff Fortenbacher, CEO of Access Health
- Josh Foster, Owner of Ade’s Collision Service
- Karmen Gearhart, Certified Financial Planner and Co-Founder of Kar-Mel Financial Planners
- David Hatter, Business Analyst at Skytron of Grand Rapids
- Mike Huston, CPA, Finance Director for the City of North Muskegon
- Nichole Imhoff, Travel Registered Nurse
- Samantha Jaggassar, RN, Health and Science Academy Instructor at Muskegon Career Tech Center and Teacher at Baker College-Muskegon
- Michael King, General Manager of Cannon-Muskegon Corporation
- Nichole Lamb, Family Nurse Practitioner at Muskegon Family Care
- Aaron Langlois, Outside Processing Buyer for GE Aerospace and Mayor of Roosevelt Park
- Leigh Lohman, Residential Associate Broker at Capstone and the Owner of Unsalted Living
- Dave Matuzeski, Co-Owner and Photographer for RIVERSEDGE Lifestyle Photography & RE Still+Motion
- LeighAnn Mikesell, Deputy City Manager of Muskegon
- Mike Miller, Executive Director of Love, INC of Muskegon
- Sara Moore, Owner/Creator of Wander West Michigan
- Emily Morgenstern, Director of Marketing and Advocacy at Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce
- Jon Munson, Sales Guru at Johnson Auto Sales
- Katie Norton, Senior Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Muskegon County
- Chelsea Robinson, Food Service Director at AgeWell Services of West Michigan
- Kendrah Robinson, Senior Assistant-Felony Division, Muskegon Public Defender’s Office
- Maria Secord, Community Relations and Social Media Director at Betten Baker of Muskegon
- Abby Selby, CPA, Founder of Selby Tax and Accounting, PC, Muskegon and Grand Haven
- Joshua Spyker, Designer at Blended Furniture Market
- Samara Tobar, Human Resources Business Partner at ABC Technologies
- Carly Wasserman, Respiratory Therapist at Trinity Health
- Toni Winskas, President of Muskegon Federal Credit Union
- Julie Witte, Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner at Muskegon Family Care
- Bob Zabavski, Registered Nurse at Mary Free Bed at Home
- Carly Adams, Diagnostic Medical Sonographer at Spectrum Health Butterworth and Blodgett Hospital
Make sure to check out the other fun things to do in the Muskegon area, like dining, hitting the beach or checking out the Muskegon Luge Adventure Park!
Carmelitta Tiffany
“Carmelitta Tiffany is a semi-retired journalist living a quiet life in rural West Michigan. She’s an avid gardener, voracious reader, and enjoys spending lots of time with her dog, MissDottie, and her grandson Henry. She serves those needing “wordy” advice through her business, West MI Editorial Services.
