Headliners

Bryce Lane discovered his passion for plants, and telling others about them working at a small Massachusetts garden center through high school and college. After earning his BS in Plant Science at the University of Massachusetts and MS in Ornamental Horticulture at The Ohio State University, he came to the Department of Horticultural Science at NC State University as a Lecturer in 1981. Bryce also served as the department’s Undergraduate Coordinator from 1987 – 2014. He spent 34 years teaching and advising over 25,000 students. He was the recipient of numerous local, regional, and national teaching awards. Bryce retired in 2014, but still teaches part-time in the department.

From 2003- 2014 Bryce hosted and produced a three-time, Emmy winning, UNC TV public television show called “In the Garden With Bryce Lane”. The show focused on all things home gardening and served all levels of gardeners.

He now spends his time giving horticulture talks, doing leadership, and communication training, teaching part-time at NC State, and at the JC Raulston Arboretum. He has worked closely for years with North Carolina Extension and the NC Nursery and Landscape Association. An avid gardener, Bryce has gardened on the same one quarter acre plot for 41 years. He and his wife of 47 years also spend plenty of time with their 6 grandchildren!

Chef Trimell Hawkins, originally from Chicago now proudly calls West Michigan home. As a U.S. military veteran, he honed his culinary skills in various kitchens before pursuing formal education at the Secchia Institute of Culinary Arts, guided by three esteemed Master Chefs.

After graduation, he had the privilege of working with Chef Mark Elliot at Elliott’s in Linden, North Carolina. Following this enriching experience, he served as a Sous Chef under the mentorship of Master Chef Kevin Dunn. His training in classical French cooking blends seamlessly with his heartfelt Southern flair.

Today, you’ll find him at Solace in Grand Rapids, infusing French Creole inspiration into delectable dishes. His culinary journey is a fusion of skills, passion, and a touch of southern charm. He offers homemade meals easy ideas to cooking enthusiasts. Trimell also owns Poetry On Plates, where he not only teaches how to cook, but how to elevate even the humblest of dishes to works of art. Visit poetryonplates.com for more!

Diane Devereaux is The Canning Diva®, a nationally syndicated food preservation expert, television presenter, instructor, mother of two, and author of Canning Full Circle: From Garden to Jar to Table and The Complete Guide to Pressure Canning and Beginner’s Guide to Canning – all available through her online store. Devereaux has bridged the generational gap of traditional canning methods for over a decade, teaching the art and craft of home canning to busy families across America.

J Schwanke is the host of J Schwanke’s Life in Bloom, a half-hour lifestyle show featuring everything flowers and the positive impact they make on daily life, broadcast nationwide. J is a fourth-generation florist, award-winning author, and speaker – whose passion for flowers is infectious.

“Research has shown the presence of flowers has an immediate impact on people’s health and happiness,” says J Schwanke. “It’s been my life-long mission to show people how easy it is to improve their daily lives, by including flowers. Viewers have responded so positively to the beauty and relaxation flowers provide – even from just taking a break and watching the show. I’m excited to show many simple ways to interact with flowers, which can improve our environment, mood, and even physical well-being.”

In each episode of J Schwanke’s Life in Bloom – seen on public television (PBS) and Create TV stations – J shows viewers how to arrange flowers with simple techniques that guarantee success. He also welcomes friends and guests for segments with crafts, cooking, cocktails, and flowers for entertaining. Location segments include visits to flower farms. Flowers intersect topics as varied as soap making, pets, and bonsai are included, as well as easy-to-make recipes with flowers as ingredients, such as a lavender cheesecake and garden gimlet cocktail.

J Schwanke was actually born at a flower convention and grew up in his family’s greenhouses. His website, uBloom.com, offers flower fans everywhere the opportunity to learn and experience the fun of flowers and flower arranging, 24/7! J has given flower demonstrations in all 50 states, Canada and England. Highlights include the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival, Art in Bloom, Bouquets to Art, San Francisco Flower & Garden Show, Flowers at Kensington Palace and hundreds of state, association, wholesale and public shows. J has also appeared several times on the PBS show “P. Allen Smith’s Garden Home.” J is the author of Fun with Flowers, which received a Silver, Living Now Book Award. His most recent book, Bloom 365 – The Essential Guide to Arranging Flowers Every Day, was awarded the Gold IPPY (Home and Garden category) by the Independent Publisher Book Awards. Bloom 365 features 365 tips, tricks, and techniques to make flower arranging easier.

Don’t miss J Schwanke’s Life in Bloom airing on WGVU Saturdays at noon starting March 22nd!

ABOUT CHEF JEFF:

Jeff began his cooking journey in 1990 in Mt. Pleasant Michigan working for the LaBelle Restaurant group while attending CMU as a music major.   Finding himself “skipping class” to pick up shifts at the restaurant Jeff decided to change his major and his life .  He and his wife Amy moved to Grand Rapids where he attended and graduated GRCC (now the Secchia Institute ) and  graduated in 1994  with an Associates Degree in Culinary Arts.    He spent the next 13 years “Chef-ing”  at various Catering and Restaurant operations in the Grand Rapids area , including the Scheldes Restaurant Group , Executive Chef for the Fredrick Meijer Gardens and Railside Country Club.   As his family started to grow Jeff made the switch to the Food Distribution side of the business and took a job with Superior Foods in 2007 as their Corporate Chef.

Jeff and Amy live in Allendale and have 3 sons and a daughter in law.

2025 RECIPES: “Cooking Inspirations from a Michigan Farmer’s Market”

Honey Goat Cheese Crostini with Herb Pistachio Pesto and Pickled Beets
Veg-Cuterie Board with Assorted Vegetables, Roasted Sweet Pepper Hummus and Tomato Chutney

Wormies is a composting business specializing in vermicomposting (composting with worms) serving the city of Grand Rapids, Michigan. We began in 2017 with the collective effort of family, friends and volunteers. We offer a variety of products and services. At the core of our operation is the production of castings (worm poop!) for farm and garden use.

Our passion for composting is rooted on the principles of sustainable and organic agriculture. We have experienced how essential it is for our health and the health of our planet to create microbial and nutrient rich soils to bring life back to balance.

Our mission is to change the way our community manages organic waste by achieving a 100% diversion from landfills. NO MORE WASTE! Our vision is to see Wormies composting in every neighborhood and for Grand Rapids to set the standard nation-wide for responsible waste management.

Amanda Liford- the Clutter Master, podcast host, author/illustrator, Certified Lean Specialist, and owner of Easy Life Organizing. Her passion for order is challenged by her ADHD husband and 4-year-old son. Amanda believes that anyone can be organized with the right support and resources. 

Easy Life Organizing specializes in decluttering and making unique organizing solutions for unique people. (and that means you!) Amanda’s experience in manufacturing and nonprofits has created an organizing business that incorporates LEAN and 5S systems in the home to make the most chaotic spaces functional. It’s stressful creating 10 new habits to be organized, Amanda’s approach creates organized systems where the mess is being made and aligns with existing habits. This makes spaces easier to keep tidy, saves you time, and lets you feel like the hero in your organizing adventure! 

Amanda has presented on the main stage for the American Society for Professional Organizers 2023 conference and has been featured in East Lansing Living, Studio 10, Home & Gardens, and RealHomes. Her podcast “Talk Clutter to Me” is an insider’s look into the life of being an organizer and what it takes to get organized. This podcast is chalked full of laughter, tips, and real-life experiences from across the country to cut out all the noise we see on social media. 

When we’re not saving you from your clutter you can find Amanda on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. 

Currently co-host of the Gardening Simplified Show - a radio show and podcast from Proven Winners ColorChoice Shrubs. Hosted by life-long gardeners Rick Vuyst and Stacey Hirvela, the Gardening Simplified show is designed to share our love of plants and gardening.  Whatever your skill or experience level, you’ll find something interesting, useful, and just plain fascinating in every episode. Rick was also host of the The Flowerland Show on NewsRadio WOOD 1300 and 106.9 FM and nationally on iHeart radio from May 1, 1993 to June 4, 2022 and  “Mr Green Thumb” for WZZM TV 13 the West Michigan ABC television affiliate for over 20 years. Rick was at Flowerland for 46 years, a former owner, leaving Flowerland in July 2022. Author of three books, Amazon books in addition to gardening, Rick is a health enthusiast, an avid runner and loves photography on the Lake Michigan shoreline and in the garden where he lives in West Michigan. Learn more about Rick at thankyouverymulch.com!

Home Repair Services has specialized in post-purchase homeownership services for lower-income homeowners since 1979. Those services include free hands-on training in home repair skills, affordable kitchen cabinets for remodeling projects, emergency repairs when health or safety is at risk, financial counseling for homeowners and much more.

As a non-profit organization, Home Repair Services depends on the generosity of caring people in our community. You can help us continue our mission by volunteering to help or making a much-needed financial donation. Most donations are tax-deductible and all are much appreciated!

Part of our DIY Homeowner series, Home Repair Services offers DIY classes in a variety of topics at the show, all included with your admission.