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November 2018 Vol 24 Issue 22 Sparta Bell Ringer Inside A Moving Experience Congratulations to Moving Experience by Sparta s own Robert Shangle with the public vote win in the Time Based Category of ArtPrize 2018 Last fall after competing in the Living Statue World Championship in the Netherlands Shangle began brainstorming about ArtPrize and thought I want to go around and see the art but I also want to participate so how can I do both So I came up with the idea to do the video playing at the site location and have the ability to walk around to see the exhibits Shangle s character Trebor was based on a 2 dimensional character that escaped the pages of a comic booked of his grandson Michael to a 3 dimensional character that walked around enjoying the art from ArtPrize The problem was Shangle a 7 time ArtPrize artist 3 time finalist and 2 time first place category winner once I decided to do it trying to get the shading to look flat it was easier to visualize than to execute The costume itself has 20 30 layers of paint and has extensive shading makeup to apply prior to each performance It was not only fun said Shangle but weird for the visitors of ArtPrize to see I m a 2 d character going out into a 3 dimensional world Shangle collaborated on the project with his son Tim Shangle who developed and edited the video and controlled the social media for the entry New Fire Chief Sparta welcomes new Fire Chief Dan Olney Chief Olney has 19 years of experience on the Sparta Fire Department and has worked up the ranks to the position of Fire Chief Olney is a State Certified Fire Investigator Instructor and Fire Inspector and has a Bachelor s Degree in Public Safety Administration from Lake Superior State University Olney said his goal is being able to continue to the serve the community and improve upon the foundation left behind by the previous Chief and help move the department forward I hope to work with all the local businesses in the future to help improve our departments response plans and their fire safety programs Shop Sparta Event Mingle lace Marketp Page 15 Page 6 IN THIS ISSUE Page 1 A Moving Experience Page 11 The Bradford Bench Page 2 Ageless Aviation Page 13 The Apple Sculpture Page 3 Notables Recognition Page 15 Interview with Larry Carter Page 6 SARA Sports Complex Page 17 Bell Ringer ECRWSS Postal Customer PRSRT STD U S POSTAGE PAID GRAND RAPIDS MI Permit 214
2 Volume 24 Issue 22 November 2018 SpartaTODAY Ageless A Celtic Surprise Aviation On August 10 2018 11 Senior Neighbors Veterans arrived at the Sparta Miller Airport in Sparta Michigan where they were given a Dream Flight by the Ageless Aviation Dreams Foundation based out of Carson City Nevada This would be the second summer that a group of veterans from Senior Neighbors would have the opportunity to fly in a 1942 Stearman Bi Plane We will continually apply for this opportunity in hopes that every senior veteran member who desires an open cockpit flight in a bi plane can experience this said Jane Ringler coordinator at the Sparta Senior Neighbors It is a true hi light of the summer for these Veterans who have given so much to our Country in service Ageless Aviation Dreams Foundation is a non profit organization established and dedicated to seniors and the United States military veterans who have always had a burning desire to soar like eagles President founder and pilot Darryl Fisher flew all the way to Michigan from Nevada to offer these flights to our local vets Darryl exemplifies the mission by his gratitude and generosity shown to the vets each received a hat signed by Darryl after the flight and a heartfelt thank you and hand shake for their past service to our great country said Ringler Darryl is a kind man with a volunteer s heart Ageless Aviation Dreams Foundation has awarded well over 2 000 dream flights all over the country since beginning in 2011 The oldest vet to take flight was 102 years old The 11 local veterans who received flights were Brian Smith Air Force E4 Sgt 1975 Eileen Ross Army PFC 1975 76 Dick Burchett Army SP4 1959 61 Gilbert Meyer Navy Seaman 195658 Gordy Zielinski Army E5 1968 69 Karl Glass Air Force AIC 1956 60 Mike Mocklegust Navy E3 1976 77 Pat Stray Army Sgt E5 1966 68 Pete Noel Navy E5 1964 69 Stanley Smith Army USMC PFC 1971 1973 And WWII veteran Jim Hoogerhyde Navy S1 C 1943 1945 The Board of Directors of the Sparta Celtic Festival Inc chose a charity to donate a portion of their 2018 festival proceeds After a very successful 9th Anniversary Celtic Fest this year some of the Celtic Fest Board and Committee members met with the staff and Board Members of the Sparta Carnegie Township Library on Tuesday October 2 2018 and presented them with a check for 500 to be used as the library deems most appropriate The Sparta Carnegie Township Library was selected for this donation based on the library s continued support of the Celtic Fest The library building is in the footprint of the festival grounds and they have always been a very good neighbor to the event Like the Celtic Fest the Sparta Carnegie Township Library is FREE and Family Friendly The fact that the library has assisted in the promotion of our event through social media posts and shares was also a main consideration in deciding the recipient of this donation The Sparta Celtic Fest was started in 2010 and was incorporated in 2017 It has been the goal of the Board of Directors to support a local charity once the festival could sustain itself financially With amazing support from the community area businesses and the hundred plus volunteers the 2018 event ended with a small surplus from the sales of beverages and Celtic Fest promotional items that made this donation to the library possible No festival sponsorship money was used in this donation but without those sponsors the Sparta Celtic Festival wouldn t be able to exist and therefore make this donation The Board thanks all of its sponsors that make the festival a reality every year The Board of the Sparta Celtic Festival Inc is planning additional donations to the Library in hopes to expand the library s Celtic Interest collections of books videos and music CD s More information on those contributions will be announced as they become available in the future In 2019 the Sparta Celtic Festival will hold its 10th Anniversary Event on Friday August 9th and Saturday August 10th Nash Creek Banks Going Native Appleview students and parents Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts and a High School Robotics Team from Belmont excitedly planted 50 more native trees and bushes along the banks of Nash Creek in Rogers Park on October 9 and 13 Sparta Village received a matching grant from the DTE Energy Foundation from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Urban and Community Forestry Program Volunteers and preparation work from Sparta s DPW are important part of the match grant funds needed to utilize these programs The 50 native trees and bushes planted along the bank will help the erosion of the banks provide shade for fish habitats provide needed habitats for native wildlife such as monarch butterflies and help reduce the overgrowth of non native invasive weeds that choke out the view of the water The reason Sparta is so invested in planting native plants along the bank is that native plants attract pollinators and insects Fish and aquatic life depend on native plant parts and insects for food Their root systems grow deep which stabilize the bank clean the water and cool the creek In 1905 Nash Creek was diverted and became a county ditch Since then most are not native Our volunteers could see right away what a difference they made and look forward to watching it grow in the future Thank you to the volunteers not all are pictured here who made this project possible
SpartaTODAY 3 Volume 24 Issue 22 July 2018 Kent City Baptist Church Celebrates Sesquicentennial Kent City Baptist Church celebrated their 150th Anniversary on Sunday September 9th with 957 in attendance The music segment Worship through the Ages 1868 to Present was a compilation of hymns songs choruses medleys that were sung throughout the last 150 years The piano accompanied at the beginning then the organ was added in the early 1960 s and Praise Band later in 1991 Other portions of the service included giveaways history of KCBC slideshow video testimonies the sermon Press On by Pastor Chris Weeks At the end of the service a church wide picture was taken in the auditorium A large tent was setup on the property to accommodate everyone for the picnic lunch After the picnic the Baptism service was held outside near the cross There were fun activities for the kids to enjoy as well as grown ups during the open house event along with an ice cream social In the auditorium exhibits spanning the decades displayed the church history with pictures artifacts books including a portion of a window pulpit from the 1st building Over 150 Years ago a group of believers decided to start a church body in Kent City in January 1868 They were called the Free Will Baptist Church They met in homes at first and Bowen Hall and eventually shared a building with the local Methodist Church They were able to build their first building in 1890 on Muskegon St 17 Mile Rd As their congregation grew the Sunday School classes met in the hotel next door and across the street at the hardware store A member of the community donated land to the church and a new building was constructed in 1955 at 106 N Main St Another building program added classrooms offices and main floor bathrooms in 1967 In 1968 they held an 8 day 100th Anniversary Celebration where Rep Gerald R Ford was a speaker 2018 STHC Notables Recognition The church again needed extra room and after running two services for several years they were able to purchase approximately 15 acres of farmland between 17 Mile Rd and M 37 They marched with shovels in hand to the property in 2007 and the building dedication service was held in May 2008 With a meeting area twice the size of what their previous auditorium held they were able to hold one service for a year before going back to the two service schedule again The members continued to use the old building a k a North Campus to house the offices and hold events several days a week until it was sold in May 2018 Currently all events are held at one location while the offices relocated to a building on Main St FREE WIRELESS UPGRADES INVISALIGN AND INVISALIGN TEEN AT NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE OR HIGH TECH BRACES W WILD COLORS The Sparta Township Historical Commission is very excited to announce the selection of the 2018 class of Sparta Notables Begun in 2014 the Notables initiative is designed to recognize and honor Sparta area residents past and present who have distinguished themselves in various endeavors Selection of 10 to The Sparta Township Historical Commission is very excited to announce the selection of the 2018 class of Sparta Notables Begun in 2014 the Notables initiative is designed to recognize and honor Sparta area residents past and present who have distinguished themselves in various endeavors Selection of 10 to 12 notables are made every other year Two beloved Sparta teachers Mary Louise Hoffmeyer and Arnie DePagter Annapolis graduate and Naval Captain Walt Reister First woman on a Sparta bank board Mary Jean Chorman Herwaldt Community servant and business owner William A Rogers Inventor and dog sled builder Frank Hall Kent County Prosecutor David Schieber Lady Curry of Norway Francis Curry Outstanding Sparta athlete and college coach Bob Taylor Newspaper owner and founder first president of Sparta Rotary H J Horace Kurtz School board activist for Sparta and Kent County Fred Thorne A special recognition reception will be held for the public at the Sparta Civic Center on November 3 from 2 to 4 pm when their accomplishments will be acknowledged Refreshments will be served AJS SCHMIDT 616 498 5368 Cell 616 887 7307 ext 113 Office 616 887 2655 Fax mikelamb grar com MIKE LAMB ABR CRS GRI Assoc Broker Manager 194 South State St PO Box 34 Sparta MI 49345 www buysellmikelamb com Each Office is independently Owned And Operated 275 S State St Sparta 616 887 4002 www BriedenMillerOrtho com
4 Volume 24 Issue 22 November 2018 SpartaTODAY Candy Cane Lane Rotary International is committed to fostering goodwill around the world and within their community through service by bringing professionals and businesses together The Rotary Club of Sparta is no exception Over the past year Sparta Rotary worked to not only improve and enhance the community through service projects but to also work to contribute towards the future of local business through their Leadership Luncheon series themed The Evolving Impact of Technology The upcoming luncheon series will continue to bring opportunities in learning with the topic of How To Drawing community leaders and businesses together has allowed Sparta Rotary to work together and grow its involvement within the area by supporting local improvements in and around Sparta as well as by investing in local families and students Sparta Rotary has been involved in cleaning and beautifying Nash Creek providing food for the hungry offering scholarship opportu nities for Sparta and Kent City students working with Sparta schools to encourage literacy and investing in the S A R A Sports Complex The list is continuing to grow with a donation towards the RESPECT campaign at Sparta Schools Seeing another opportunity to serve and enhance the families of Sparta Rotary has chosen to take on another project the lighting and decorating of Candy Cane Lane for the upcoming Christmas season In early November local Rotarians will meet along with community volunteers to string lights through the walkway of library park Located between Santa s house and the bridge overlook of Balyeat Field the path way has become a festive part of downtown Sparta during the holidays The group decided that along with the commitment to beautify the banks of Nash Creek for the warmer weather months a commitment to work with the Chamber of Commerce to grow an enjoyable space for the holiday months was needed as well As with all service projects many hands make light work If you are interested in helping with the decorating please email spartarotary mi gmail com for information Fire Department Updates Pictured right Deputy Chief Carl Wood Pictured left Lieutenant Andrew Good As many know Chief Jerry Bolen recently retired With that we would like to welcome Chief Dan Olney as Sparta Fire Departments new Fire Chief With him has come two promotions Deputy Chief Carl Wood and Lieutenant Andrew Good Congrats guys If you see those guys please congratulate them on their new positions as they continue their dedication to the community Congratulations to the following members of the Sparta Fire Department for successfully completing and pass the EMT class pictured left to right F F Todd Fairchild F F Noah Knauf F F Kyle Fitzpatrick Lt Eric Buchanan and F F Paul Pant Your additional medical skills and knowledge will be a great asset to the department Brieden and Miller Orthodontics Patient Appreciation Putt Putt Golf Outing YOUR LOCAL EXPERTS Premier local real estate team that specializes in Residential Sales and Listings LISTINGS BUYERS OTHER SERVICES Professional Quality Photography Video Up To Date Listings Flat Fee Transaction Coordinator Services Staging Repair Advice Pre listing Inspection Appraisal 12 Month Home Warranty Winning Offer Strategies Short Notice Tours Complimentary Trailer Tools Equipment Pre Approval Assistance Credit Repair Workshops Credit Repair Assistance FSBO Assistance Call today to schedule your buyer seller consultation Business Hours M F 9 5pm www northgr com V DA DECORATO RS OLE C I E NC 616 951 3118 On Thursday August 16 2018 we celebrated our appreciation for our patients at AJ S Family Fun Center Our patients brought their families and a friend to join us for a fun filled day of miniature golf They were asked to bring non perishable food items per golfer to be donated to North Kent Connect There were snow cones raffle prizes and lots of smiles Drs Brieden and Miller along with their staff look forward to this event each year Thank you for welcoming our practice into the area We feel honored to be a part of Sparta and the surrounding communities COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL PAINTING WALLCOVERING Hotels Hospitals Schools Factories Churches Offices 325 Martindale St Sparta 616 887 9465 www dcd inc com
SpartaTODAY General elections are coming up on November 6th All of Michigan s seats in the State Senate and House of Representatives are up for election This ballot will also be an issue voting ballot Some of the topics present is the regulation of marijuana in Michigan voter redistricting and voting regulations For more information visit michigan gov Join the Sparta Fire Board Sparta Fire Department is a joint effort of the Village of Sparta and Sparta Township It is managed by the Sparta Fire Board whose members have been appointed from the Village Council and Township Board The newly revised Fire Board Agreement gives us the pos November 10 2018 at 11 am 10 person 12 under free 10448 Peach Ridge Ave Sparta SPARTA 500 Snow Mobile Races Dec 1 2018 at 10 am 10 person 12 under free 10448 Peach Ridge Ave Sparta ChoiceOne Bank Helps Keep Sparta History Alive for Future Generations who is also a Board Member of Sparta Township Historical Commission We saw this as an opportunity to do something historical for Sparta and the park Our Board voted to create a monument dedicated to the Sparta Township Historical Commission and the Sparta Garden Club and our Tribute Garden was born The Historical Commission took charge of creating a memorial garden commemorating Sparta Marlies Manning a landscape artist was hired to create the garden sibility of appointing a citizen member instead of only Council Board members to the Sparta Fire Board We need to know who is interested You must be a registered voter in Sparta Township and available for Thursday evening meetings Preferred candidates will have knowl edge of fire department operations and budgeting If you feel you could serve your community in this way please send a letter of interest stating your qualifications to Sparta Township Clerk 160 E Division St Sparta MI 49345 or email clerk spartatownship org Ridgetown Investments celebrates its first anniversary on October 1st SPARTA 300 Truck Dune Buggy Race ChoiceOne Bank is proud to take part in the Sparta Garden Club Tribute Park Dedication as a Platinum Donor Sparta is known for its small town charm and beautiful countryside The area known as Sparta Township was first settled in 1844 ChoiceOne Bank has been serving West Michigan for 120 years with headquarters today in Sparta We are proud to participate in this dedication and to be honored as a Platinum Donor ChoiceOne Bank has strong ties to the Sparta Township Historical Commission and the Sparta Garden Club for many reasons said ChoiceOne Bank President and CEO Kelly Potes With our headquarters in Sparta we are actually located where the historical Sparta bandshell used to sit In addition the area behind our building is where the memorial garden is planted now so many community members and our own staff pass through this area regularly The idea to create a Sparta Garden Club Tribute Park started in February when the Sparta Chamber of Commerce initiated a cleanup of the main entrance to Rogers Park said Vice President of Sparta Historical Commission Friends Lisa Vanderwerff 5 Volume 24 Issue 22 November 2018 The Sparta Township Historical Commission Friends did a fundraising campaign and local residents donated their time and materials including plants and historical bricks The Hessel Cheslek Funeral Home donated the monument A Volunteer Day was organized on June 30 and the board and community came together to create the new Sparta Garden Club Tribute Park which is now a beautiful entrance into Rogers Park just behind the Historical Commission Research Center on 71 North Union Street in Sparta As the local community bank we take great pride in the communities we serve said Potes Our Digital Channels and Marketing Officer Tim Shangle sits on the Sparta Township Historical Commission Board of Directors and is very involved in the Sparta community I m pretty proud of his efforts to volunteer time to make Sparta a great place to live and work Our mission is to provide superior service high quality advice and show our utmost respect to everyone we meet and our vision is to be the best bank in Michigan I think our employees live up to this charge every day One year ago Randy Schmidt and his entire team separated from ChoiceOne Bank to start a new business There are many changes occurring in the financial services industry and Randy and the team wanted more flexibility to adjust to these changes and allow for a greater focus on service to our clients Our motto is You can Expect a Difference Soon after Ridgetown Investments was established our brokerage company Investment Centers of America was sold to the largest brokerage company in the United States LPL Financial There are over 16 000 advisors affiliated with this new company We are proud to say that Randy is in the top 5 of advisors Some fun trivia Where did the Ridgetown name come from Since we are a part of the Fruit Ridge area of West Michigan also known as The Ridge for its land feature and growing extensive agricultural activity specifically because of its fruit production and since we are now located in the town of Sparta we thought it was a good combination And of course we added the Investments to describe what we do Our color is dark blue because that is Randy s favorite color and our outdoor sign looked better in blue instead of red which was our initial pick of color scheme From the time you step on the sidewalk to our front door it is only 11 5 feet a few steps closer than before Which also means you are closer to our chocolate chip cookies that are always available 3 R S OF FALL YARD CARE REDUCE RAKE REUSE MULCH RECYCLE COMPOST
6 Volume 24 Issue 22 November 2018 SpartaTODAY Odd Even Winter Parking Reminder Beginning November 15 and running through April 1st the Village will have odd even parking restrictions in place on all streets Between the hours of 2 00 a m and 6 00 p m the vehicle must be parked on the evenly addressed side of the street on even dates and the odd addressed side of the street on odd dates Because the parking restriction is in effect from 2 00 a m 6 00 p m you need to make sure you are parked accordingly the night before for the next day Vehicles may be parked on both sides of the street from 6 01 p m 1 59 a m The Village will have additional graphics explaining the odd even parking restrictions available on our website in the upcoming weeks Please visit www spartami org for more information How to use a space heater As the colder months approach and people seek alternative options for heating such as space heaters Here are facts about space heaters from the National Fire Protection Association NFPA from 2011 to 2015 Space heaters accounted for just over 43 of home heating fires and 85 of home heating fire deaths Placing things that can burn too close to heating equipment or placing heating equipment too close to things that can burn such as upholstered furniture clothing mattress or bedding was the third leading factor contributing to ignition in fatal home heating fires and accounted for more than 53 of home heating fire deaths Nearly 48 of all home heating fires occurred in December January and February If you plan on using a space heater please make sure that it will shut off if tipped over and keep it at least 3 away from anything that can burn Chief Daniel Olney Sports Complex Although the Sparta Recreation Project has been moving more slowly than any of us would have liked we are proud to announce that it is still progressing as planned with full expectation for completion As everyone is very excited and ready for this project to be completed as swiftly as possible the organization in charge of the construction the Sparta Recreation Authority has been fiscally responsible for all funds raised to create a construction timeline that will best stretch each and every dollar to the fullest This has been accomplished by pairing raised local funds with Department of Recreation DNR grants that requires a match of local funds our donor funds to the DNR funds which are highly competitive However we are so pleased to announce that the Sparta Recreation Project has been awarded TWO grants totaling over 375 000 in matching grant funds thanks to our donor funding The conservative planning and construction schedule to date has been specifically designed to be good stewards of the generous donations our businesses community and foundations have awarded to this important community project Our private donations have been leveraged to the fullest potential as the pledges from donors were given over a 3 5 year period The DNR grants are a reimbursement type grant where the proj ect spends 300 000 and will receive 150 000 reimbursement for one grant and spends 400 000 and receives 225 000 reimbursement As noted it has taken the last five years to completely collect the full pledged amounts which has given us the financial position to both utilize these amazing grant opportunities to bring an additional 375 000 to the project through DNR funding and to seek additional in kind construction donations This has become a vital component to the project completion as construction costs have only increased in the last few years which has increased the project budget As with many projects of this size there also have been unexpected delays that included Wetland concerns from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality DEQ which caused a six month planning delay as the project waited to go through their vigorous permitting process The SRA charged with construction management has engaged a prime professional to facilitate the extensive DNR grant paperwork to assure compliance and proper documentation The intent is to finish the fields pave the entry drive and parking lot sidewalk areas install amenities and create walking trails over the next 12 18 months by working through the DNR grant timelines If you have been onsite recently you will have seen that a portion of the project has been completed as leveling and balancing of the site was a significant portion of the project budget but necessary to obtain the additional DNR funding opportunities Additionally the project has had donations of fencing a concession stand constructed an irrigation well drilled and consumers energy poles moved on the site to date SARA the nonprofit organization created to raise funds and provide cooperation from all the youth sports organizations in Sparta is still fully engaged and dedicated to completing this project The Village and Township are still committed to the community benefit of this recreation complex and looking forward to a completed community asset as more residents and businesses are choosing Sparta We are aware the need is stronger than ever in Sparta for youth sports fields and places for kids to play as our community continues to grow Representatives of the Sparta Recreation Complex would be happy to discuss in more detail the timeline project or plans as we confidently move forward Thank you again for your commitment to Sparta
SpartaTODAY 7 Volume 24 Issue 22 November 2018 Septic System Maintenance Protects Human Health and Water Quality As a homeowner you are responsible for maintaining your septic system which helps keep people healthy and protects our rivers and streams A septic system is a treatment system for your wastewater consisting of a pipe leaving the house carrying the waste a septic tank a drainfield leach field absorption field and suitable soil Regular maintenance includes pumping your septic tank regularly usually once every 3 to 5 years to avoid a costly septic system failure Signs of failure include odors plumbing or septic tank backups gurgling sounds in the pumping system or wet spongy ground or unusually lush plant growth in your yard Poorly managed septic systems often allow wastes to directly enter waterways The health and environmental consequences are potential health hazards at local beaches for swimmers and other water users an increase of algae and other aquatic plant growth causing fish kills and contaminated groundwater Does your home have a septic system Make sure you are taking good care of it Failure to properly maintain can be costly for you for people s health and for our lakes rivers and streams For more information on how you can be a Septic Smart homeowner go to HYPERLINK http www lgrow org septicsmart www lgrow org septicsmart Sparta Tire Automotive TIRES SERVICE MORE Tires Wheels Brakes Alignments Shocks Struts Import Factory Maintenance Tune Ups More Complete Automotive Repair 440 S State St Sparta 616 887 1748 spartatire com CHECKUPS ARE GOOD FOR YOUR FINANCIAL HEALTH Randy Schmidt CFP RFC 29B Ida Red PO Box 47 Sparta MI 49345 616 606 9100 randy ridgeinv com www ridgetowninvestments com Like annual physicals a yearly financial checkup can help uncover hidden problems inspire you to set new goals provide information you need to improve your health and help make sure you re on track for well being I specialize in thoughtful and objective investment guidance aimed at keeping your finances and goals in shape Call today for more information or to schedule a consultation Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial Member FINRA SIPC MKT 06089 0618 Tracking 1 745751 Exp 8 20 www serenitywellnesschiro com Spinal adjustments Extremity adjustments Cold laser Traction Decompression Medical massage Deep tissue relaxation massage Hot or cold stone massage Prenatal massage Gift Certificates Dr LynnMarie S Leyder Doctor of Chiropractic doctor serenitywellnesschiro com 542 S State St Sparta MI 49345 phone 616 887 2178 Helping you reach your health care goals Visit and follow us on Facebook for exclusive offers health tips and more
8 Volume 24 Issue 22 November 2018 SpartaTODAY Peelout Shopping around for car insurance Don t Let your local independent agent shop for you and find the coverage you need ottawakent com 616 887 8881 BE SAFE BE SAFE BE PREPARED Early on the morning of the September 22 the first ever Applesauce Peel Out Trail run was getting ready to make its debut Fruit Ridge Hayrides had stepped up to the plate to help make the run possible and with a lot of hard work and determination the event was off to the races as they say The attendees arrived ready to run or walk through the field and woods After a series of rainy days and battles with mosquitoes everyone was thankful for a cool morning and the breeze that came with Michigan Apple Fest was ready to celebrate it s first trail run Little did the organizers know this would be a much more important first for one of its racers The race concluded with rounds of cheers for all of the finishers Everyone was to receive a medal because for so many simply signing up and showing up is a good part of the battle to the finish line There was no way to know how special one of those medals was until a message was sent to the Peel Out that put things into perspective I just wanted to say thank you to all of your volunteers working the course yesterday 7 months ago my son was diagnosed with a brain tumor and had immediate surgery The physical recovery has been lengthy since this tumor caused so many issues with balance He is a little Pictured Above Everett Smith slower than other kids and is very self conscious about that This race provided him with a huge confidence boost and that medal is now his most prized possession The encouragement from your staff made him feel so proud of himself He s walking tall these last 24 hours and for that I cannot thank you enough Heidi Smith Michigan Apple Fest and the Applesauce Peel Out is proud to not only support the growth of apples but also champions like Everertt Smith BE PREPARED BE EDUCATED BE EDUCATED BE BE CONFIDENT CONFIDENT JOIN OUR CLASS BY JOIN CALLING TOOUR CLASS DAY FAMILY AND FRIENDS CPR BY CALLING TOLIMITED DAY SPACE FAMILY AND FRIENDS CPR WITH THE UPCOMING HOLIDAYS ARE YOU READY FOR THE UNTHINKABLE 3 HR CLASS 75 of allUPCOMING Cardiac Arrests happen in WITH THE HOLIDAYS ARE YOU LIMITED SPACE peoples homes ROCKFORD READY FOR THE UNTHINKABLE AMBULANCE CPR doubles a persons chances of 3 HR CLASS EDUCATION 75 of allfrom Cardiac Arrests happen survival sudden cardiac arrestin PHONE peoples homes ROCKFORD 616 863 8434 Learn Lifesaving skills Instructor lead class which will show you hands only adult child and Infant CPR and relief of choking for all Perform hands on practice with our manikins This will give you the skills to be your families lifesaver ASK BETH AMBULANCE ABOUT FAMILY AND FRIENDS EDUCATION CLASSES CPR doubles a persons chances of survival from sudden cardiac arrest WWW ROCKFORDAMBULANCE COM Learn Lifesaving skills Instructor lead class which will show you hands only adult child PHONE 616 863 8434 ASK BETH Michigan Apple Fest On a sunny day everyone gathered for a good time in Sparta Michigan Apple Fest hit downtown Sparta on September 22nd with a blast as it filled the air with the sound of joy from people of all ages With activities like rock wall climbing couch racing and pie eating contests unforgettable memories were sure to be made that day
SpartaTODAY 9 Volume 24 Issue 22 November 2018 North Kent Community Toastmasters Celebrate 20th Anniversary North Kent Community Toastmasters celebrated twenty years as the leading club in northern Kent County Their Anniversary Open House was held at their regular meeting on Tuesday October 16 The members of North Kent Toastmasters celebrated twenty years of grooming and growing their communication and leadership skills After a ninety year history of success in creating leaders and speakers the international organization implemented a new online platform Pathways Pathways is a revitalized program with a renewed focus on leadership learning competencies that have immediate real world applications using an online platform The member selects a Path that best fits within his her personal and professional goals Within the five levels of each of the ten Paths the projects are both in and outside of the club setting and are geared to build skills and then demonstrate them The five core competencies are public speaking interpersonal communication management strategic leadership and confidence Members reach their goals through practice in a supportive social environment North Kent Toastmasters invite you to visit any time Meetings are the 1st and 3rd Tuesday each month from 7 00 pm to 8 45 pm at the Bella Vista Church 5100 Belding SPARTA ANIMAL CLINIC P C 431 W Division Sparta 616 887 8247 Servicing Both Large and Small Animals Office Calls Surgeries and Farm Visits www spartaanimalclinic vetstreet com M F 8 00am 6 00pm Sat 8 00am 12 00 Noon Road Rockford Follow the signs to Room 6 For more information about the club please visit www nkctm org Find them on Facebook and meet them on Meetup You re Always Among Friends At Toastmasters Where Leaders are Made Your Real Estate Expert so you don t have to be 616 293 9927 DON SCOTT 34 Associate Broker 2380 Van Dyke St Conklin MI 49403 Come to Bergman s Power Backyard this fall for lots of great deals on high quality snow blowers and other backyard supplies 616 453 9581 donscottemail gmail com 2018 Sales Count OFFICE 616 791 1500 We can match or beat any big box store s pricing on Husqvarna Simplicity and Toro snowblowers and we have award winning service 4073 Remembrance Rd NW Grand Rapids MI 49534 www bergmanpe com
10 Volume 24 Issue 22 November 2018 SpartaTODAY Come bank with us STAY PUT WITH A NEW LOOK Federally Insured by NCUA NMLS 372758
SpartaTODAY 11 Volume 24 Issue 22 November 2018 The 2018 Concrete Cauldron competitors present Monsters on Mainstreet 88 East Division Street Sparta MI 49345 866 887 1761 NEXT GENERATION 2019 SILVERADO 1500 The Next Century of Chevy Trucks Starts Here Just 10 Money Saving Minutes From Grand Rapids In the this photo Adele Bradford Jones Marv Bradford and Linda Bradford Anderson try out the new bench as they check out the engraving on Moses s cane believed to have been given to him on the occasion of his 80th birthday The Bradford Bench Descendants of Moses Bradford are honoring the early Sparta pioneer and his wives with a new park bench in downtown Sparta The beautiful new bench donated by Bradford descendants has been installed near the newly created garden park behind the Sparta Township Historical Commission next to the Sparta Civic Center Moses an 8th generation descendant of Governor William Bradford of the Mayflower and Plymouth Colony moved west from Canterbury Connecticut in 1825 He and his first wife Elizabeth Arnold witnessed the filling of the newly constructed Erie Canal and the ceremonial lifting of the first gate by Governor Clinton They traveled on by wagon from Buffalo New York to Fort Detroit where just seven English speaking families lived at the time Moses and Elizabeth had five children and after she died in childbirth with their 5th child he married Nancy Pine Together they had four more children After farming in Wayne County for 27 years they made the arduous journey to Sparta in 1852 where they started dairy farming on 160 acres they purchased north of the fledgling community Some of the Bradfords are still dairy farmers on that land today There will be a dedication of the bench with a gathering of Bradfords in the spring YOUR HOMETOWN HEAVY DUTY TRUCK STORE YOU LL LOVE THE WAY WE DO BUSINESS 616 887 1791 Corner of M 37 Sparta Ave www spartachevy com
AT T O R N E Y S AT L AW 12 Volume 24 Issue 22 November 2018 SpartaTODAY BLAKESLEE ROP PLC AT T O R N E Y S AT L AW Estate Planning Probate Business Estate Planning Real Estate Criminal Law Probate Municipal Law Business Real Estate 866 9593 240 NorthlaNd drive rockford www br law net 616 866 9593 Northland Dr Rockford MI File name 240 1B_general_practice_ad_2011 pdf www br law net WIN A 200 00 SHOPPING SPREE WITH SPARTA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESSES TO ENTER PLEASE COMPLETE THE FORM BELOW AND DROP OFF AT THE SPARTA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OFFICES LOCATED AT 194 E DIVISION DRAWING WILL TAKE PLACE ON TUESDAY NOVEMBER 20TH ONE ENTRY PER MAILING ADDRESS NAME ADDRESS PHONE NUMBER EMAIL DOOR MAIL SLOT AVAILABLE FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE Our NEW 2nd Location SPARTA MI Equipment Rentals Sales 81 N State St Sparta MI 616 383 1080 316 S Maple M 37 Grant 231 834 7368
SpartaTODAY 13 Volume 24 Issue 22 November 2018 The Apple Sculpture The Apple sculpture was unveiled at the Michigan Apple Fest on September 22 The concept was created by the Sparta Chamber DDA and Events Department using local talents vendors and generous donors to create the piece The six foot tall sculpture will be permanently on display in front of the new Sparta Chamber DDA and Events Department located at 194 E Division What voters need to know about the November General election choose to write in a candidate they must be a declared and verified candidate You will have to write their name in the correct spot provided AND fill in the oval Michigan residents will be heading to the polls on Tuesday November 6 2018 for the general election Here are a few important things to take note of All Sparta Township precincts vote at Trinity CRC Church on 660 S State Street Polls will be open 7 a m to 8 p m on Tuesday It s a long ballot with federal state county and local races Straight ticket has been REMOVED from the ballot this election this could potentially take you a little longer to vote than normal Michigan Secretary of State website lets you see your ballot in advance and allows you to double check your polling place Go to www michigan gov vote to see a copy of the ballot from your precinct Bring a photo identification to your polling place Acceptable IDs include driver s license state issued ID card ID issued by another state federal or state issued photo ID U S passport military ID student ID or tribal ID card with photo You can request an absentee ballot from your township clerk s office by 4 p m Monday November 5 You ll need to fill it in on the spot and hand back in To obtain an absentee ballot you must be at least 60 years old or older or disabled or sign a statement that you will be out of town on Election Day No selfies are allowed in the voting booth it s Michigan s law The ban extends to use of video cameras still cameras and other recording devices in polling places when they are open for voting This includes still cameras and other recording features built into many cell phones Leave your candidate or campaign T shirts hats or buttons etc at home no campaigning at the polls Please be patient with our poll workers and the election process Make sure to fill out the ballot properly If you don t fill in the ovals completely you risk having a spoiled ballot If you Contact Sparta Township at 616 887 8863 if you have any questions about our local election 616 887 9000 www ridgerealty us DAN WILDE Broker Owner HIGHLIGHTED HOMES SPARTA Sought after Ridge area walk out ranch with 5 bedrooms 3 bathrooms and over 2 300 sq feet of living area Set on a 0 7 acre nicely wooded lot The upper level features a kitchen dining area master suite two more bedrooms and a full bathroom the beautiful master suite includes hardwood floors walk in closet and granite counter top with a heated tile floor in the master bath The lower level includes a family room with wet bar two additional bedrooms full bath a workroom and storage room The large deck off the dining area that has a secluded wooded view The backyard landscape includes a shed decor pond and apple trees Also included is a pellet stove for secondary heating source PRICE REDUCED 219 900 SPARTA This must have 4 bed 2 1 2 bath home is in one of the best developments in Sparta The development features large lots with very few homes The home has beautiful brick and vinyl siding The foyer of the home has wood floors that lead into the dining room with a beautifully wooded fire place The charming kitchen has a snack bar pantry and lots of cupboard space The main floor features 3 beds and 2 full bathrooms The basement is partially finished with a rec room bedroom and another half bath The half bath is plumbed for a shower to easily become a full bath The home has a well taken care of 2 stall attached garage There is also a large pole barn with a cement slab in front of it The pole barn is 30x40 ft with 10 ft walls It is mostly insulated with a wood burner and 220 volt power Do not miss out on this wonderful home PRICE REDUCED 289 900 CEDAR SPRINGS Check out this updated Ranch with walkout basement located on Private road with over 10 acres of wooded paradise 3 bedrooms with walk in closets 3 Full bathrooms with slate tile floors and a very large bathroom in the basement Beautiful hard wood floors on main level Great view from the sun room with french doors that lead to the living room large 2 stall attached garage with 2 additional sheds on which is almost the size of a garage Watch deer and other wildlife from every window in the home Also includes a add on wood furnace to allow saving money utilizing the burning of wood Central Air Private road is plowed by neighbors Homes like this are very hard to find so hurry Owner is still putting finishing touches on the basement finishing 249 900 IONIA Large 2 story 6 bedroom 2 full bathroom home in Ionia Many improvements have been done on the home however owner is still working on the finishing touches in most of the rooms There are so many updates its hard to list them all Some of those include hardwood floors new electrical plumbing and structural all approved by the city The exterior has a deck 2 porches and the yard in all fenced in The once garage is now used as storage and only has a service door Close by schools parks and tennis courts The home was originally used as a duplex and could be turned back into one again very easily for extra income Home warranty included 139 900 HOWARD CITY Two bedroom single wide trailer on 1 52 acres in Tri county Home needs TLC but functional and was lived in Updated 5 inch well 12x19 shed with workshop and a 10x16 deck Great property to purchase for future home PRICE REDUCED 27 900 View all of our listings at www ridgerealty us
14 Volume 24 Issue 22 November 2018 SpartaTODAY Wow Now this is retirement Meadowlark Retirement Village has been completely renovated to support a new innovative approach to resident centered care The Household model of care features three different households each complete with a kitchen living room and dining room for residents in independent living assisted living and secure memory care Come see for yourself Call Meadowlark for a personal tour 616 887 8891 Meadowlark Retirement Village 65 Ida Red Avenue Sparta MI 49345
SpartaTODAY 15 Volume 24 Issue 22 November 2018 Course Correction Never Too Late as a teacher This is not a feeling unique to me I ve spoken with fellow retirees who face the same thing I think we re not giving the aging process its due Liz STHC has made major strides in the last several years As the chair what are some of the initiatives you re most proud of By Elizabeth Morse I recently had the pleasure to sit down with Sparta s very own Larry Carter lifetime resident 5th grade teacher Old Men s Basketball Enthusiast and the Sparta Township Commission Chair Liz Hello Larry We ve all seen you riding around on your bicycle filming kids on their historic tour but I ve heard there are some changes happening what s the scoop Larry Well it s something I ve been kicking around for over a year now because retirement was shaping up to be a little too busy I m stepping back from STHC trying to re orient the use of my time There are things I want to do that I m not doing And those that I am doing in some cases not as well as I could If you do a job do it with all your heart right Liz I know the community will be sad to see this but will understand What are some of the things you ll enjoy with your free time Larry History is still one of my passions but so is being helpful in a number of ways at home and at church And golf is important too right Spending more time with Sally and playing with my new grandson Lawson Those things need the time they deserve Not too long after retirement I m over three years out now I started to get the same feeling as when I was working 50 plus hours a week Larry No doubt the work of a former student we ve hired Rachel Groters Williamson who was 5th grader of mine consults for us She is organizing digitizing and making better sense of STHC s collection of documents photos and artifacts We want them more easily accessible to our history loving public and Rachel is the one to do it She is doing exactly what her undergraduate and graduate work at CMU has trained her for Liz You ve also interviewed quite a few people over the years Larry Let me amend that Dan Salas and I have interviewed a number of people over the years Dan an Emmy Award winner and hugely talented individual has seen some of the work I tried to do before he came along let s just say he couldn t have made himself available to STHC soon enough Yes we ve picked up our pace on interviewing Spar ta old timers And we make sure in our interviews that being called an old timer is a badge of honor because it is Liz Who is a memorable interview lately Larry Mabel Northup a retired Sparta school teacher who was the mentor of my mentor Pete VandenBerg Mabel recently celebrated her 100th birthday Her favorite subject is social studies and so is mine You cannot predict what she is going to say and she is very frank in a wonderful kind of way she s my educational grandma But then we ve done a lot of interviews over the years that have been very memorable to me Liz I know you ve worked on some great things for our community over the last few years What are some of the other cool things you ve worked on Larry Over five years ago we purchased the Malt Shop and turned it into a Research Center This past summer we built a Garden Club Tribute Park in our backyard We enjoy the responsibility of choosing the Grand Marshal for Town Country Days The 5th Grade Walking Tour each year Sparta Notables is coming up in November a bi annual event Chris C Dan Tom F and I organize the Memorial Day service each year The Sparta Faithful really turn out for that event They know how to honor our veterans well I love it Don t get me started Liz It s like asking which of your kids is your favorite I ve been on the commission for just over twenty years ten of it as the chair I work with eight awesome fellow commissioners and a large number of Friends who will not miss a beat in this transition I got to thinking the other day I worked at Spartan Graphics for twenty years and then taught 5th graders for twenty one years I apparently can t hold a job longer than that Liz I heard that Dale Bergman our Township Supervisor jokingly rejected your letter of resignation from the commission Larry Ha While I appreciate the sentiment I do look forward to being a past chair We all have appetites for service and personal enjoyment sometimes you have to reign in your appetite to do well those things you hang on to I ve got this list right here in my pocket Liz Your bucket list Larry No my to do list Are we done talking here Liz Ha Yes Larry Enjoy your second retirement 201 E Division SPARTA NOV 16 5 PM Come kick off the holiday season in Sparta Mingle with friends and family while shopping from local merchants and sipping on hot chocolate Marshmallow roasting kits available for 1 cash only Bring a chair and blankets to enjoy the movie or take a horse drawn trolley ride ELF THE MOVIE CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING Santa s Christmas Holiday Sparkle Fireworks spartachamber com Rain Date November 18
16 Volume 24 Issue 22 November 2018 SpartaTODAY
Sparta Area Schools BELL RINGER Vol 24 No 22 November 2018 www spartaschools org Home of the Michigan Blue Ribbon Exemplary School Giving Thanks and Planning for our Future It is hard to believe that the first two months of the school year are already behind us As we reach the end of the first quarter of the 2018 19 school year and enter the months of November and December it is a time to celebrate and give thanks for all that we have Fall in West Michigan is such a beautiful season with the leaves turning and falling to the ground and the weather cooling as we prepare for winter It is also a time to begin planning for 2019 and the improvement efforts ahead in our school system At our October board workshop I presented information to our board of education about strategic planning Strategic planning is a disciplined review and planning process that is undertaken to make thoughtful decisions about an organization s future in order to ensure its success The plan is a set of decisions about what to do why to do it and how to do it We will have to identify a core team of individuals from our district and the community that will help us in this process We will also gather input from the community as a whole by utilizing surveys and holding a listening session This input will be used by the core team to draft goals develop objectives and plan the actions of everyone in our district over the next 3 5 years It has been 10 years since our district has engaged in the strategic planning process and it is time to refresh our mission vision and core beliefs as we set a path for the future Once our board has approved the process we will get started early in 2019 and hope to have it completed by the end of the school year As for the rest of the 201819 school year we will be very busy continuing the current work in our district We are entering Phase II of our 2016 bond project and will be breaking ground on our new middle school soon This project will kick into full gear once spring arrives and will last until July 2020 when it is complete In addition we will be improving parking lots at the high school and refreshing classrooms at Ridgeview Elementary over the summer of 2019 It is very exciting to think of the new environments our children will be learning in over the next few years and we are thankful to our community for blessing our school system with the approval to do so I d also like to give thanks for all our staff we have at Sparta Area Schools From our administrators to teachers to support staff we have been blessed with professionals that work tirelessly to provide the best educational opportunities for our children Our district continues to invest in the professional learning community PLC s process that creates a strong focus on what we want our students to learn encourages collaboration at all levels of our district and will use our student achievement outcomes to drive our future improvement Our district has been involved in this process for the last several years and we are starting to see the results The state recently shared our annual assessment results from the M Step and those results showed that our students continue to perform above the state and county averages in nearly all measures Our current high school seniors had the largest increase in achievement in our county in math and social studies last spring while also continuing to grow in English and science This is a tribute to the quality of our staff at all levels as we prepare our students for their post secondary and career options We will continue to focus on how we can improve our outcomes and provide even more opportunities for our students as they progress through our school system Lastly I am thankful for the opportunity to serve as your superintendent The community has been very welcoming to myself and my family and I look forward to continuing to meet many of you as I attend events around the district over the next several months Sparta is a special place and we need to continue to work together as we improve our facilities provide the best resources for our staff and students and offer the learning opportunities necessary for all our children to learn grow and reach their goals Thank you for all you do to support our children and our schools A THANK YOU FROM SPARTA MIDDLE SCHOOL Dear SMS Parent Guardian On behalf of the SMS staff I would like to thank all of you that have helped us get our school year off to a great start Your support of our fundraisers attendance at back to school events and your willingness to serve as chaperones during their week of 6th grade camp are all examples of how blessed we are to have such supportive families We look forward to continuing an already great school year alongside you It takes a village to raise a child We are blessed to be a part of a community that shows how much they care about our kids Thank you Sincerely Brad Wood Principal Sparta Middle School SMS Students of the Month Jayden Cochrane Natalie Whalen Sophia Tavares SMS Citizens of the Month America Rincon Orson Alvarado Drake Keener SMS Band Choir Concerts take place at Sparta High School Auditorium Thursday December 13th Holiday Concert 6th Grade Band 8th Grade Choir begin at 7 00pm 7th Grade Band 8th Grade Band begin at 7 40pm Parent Teacher Conferences We hope to see you there Tuesday October 30th from 4 00pm 7 00pm Thursday November 1st from 5 00pm 8 00pm Conferences are held in the SMS gymnasium Hard copies of student schedules will be available upon arrival if you need one Upcoming Days Holiday Break Release time is 10 35am Friday November 9th Day for Students Wednesday November 21st Day for Students Thanksgiving Break No School on Thursday November 22nd Friday November 23rd
18 Volume 24 Issue 22 November 2018 SpartaTODAY KSSN Sparta Middle School to Host Mobile Food Pantry on October 12th November 2nd December 7th On October 12th November 2nd December 7th KSSN Sparta Middle School will distribute food to those in need in partnership with Feeding America West Michigan The distribution will begin at 5 pm at Sparta Middle School and is open to all people in need Guests are asked to bring their own boxes and carts Any persons wanting to volunteer and or questions about the distribution please contact Cinda Birely 616 8871743 or cinda birely spartaschools org for more information About Feeding America West Michigan Serving local families in need since 1981 Feeding America West Michigan reclaims safe surplus food from farmers manufacturers distributors and retailers That food is distributed through a network of more than 900 food pantries soup kitchens shelters and other hunger relief agencies in 40 counties from the Indiana border through the Upper Peninsula Each year an estimated 492 100 people receive food from Feeding America West Michigan For more information visit FeedWM org Hoffmaster Field Trip Mrs Hurley s 3rd grade class took an amazing field trip to Hoffmaster State Park at the end of September They enjoyed walking on nature paths and exploring the amazing dunes of Lake Michigan Students also had the opportunity to learn more about the dune ecosystem and native animals at the Gillette Visitor Center Overall it was a spectacular trip to one of the most beautiful places Lake Michigan and its beaches
SpartaTODAY PBIS We have been working hard here at Ridgeview to use positive reinforcement and roll out PBIS building wide Students have been earning you rock blue tickets for demonstrating correct expectations here at school Every Friday each classroom collects all the blue tickets from the week and 5 lucky winners are chosen from each class to earn a quick sticker and treat recognition We have created a bulletin board highlighting our 19 Volume 24 Issue 22 November 2018 We re Live Sparta High School has entered a new era of event broadcasting The Media Productions class has put together the systems required to run a live stream from the ground up We now broadcast events regularly Recently our live streams of the 2018 Homecoming games and speeches collected a total of over 1 500 views within one week of going live Under the leadership of Paul Owens Evan Grahs and Colton Kilpatrick the class has streamed 5 sporting events between volleyball and football thus far We plan to continue streaming during the winter with basketball weekly winners from each grade level For the month of September all students participated in our monthly celebration Friday October 26 we will be having our October celebration We have already noticed the positive effects from our implementation of PBIS Anyone interested in watching our past and future streams can visit tinyurl com SHSLiveStream and get a free password for each future event by signing up with their email address or cell phone number Sporting event live streams are password protected to comply with the MHSAA but replays will be publicly available the day after each event on the Spartan News YouTube Channel tinyurl com SpartaHSNews Welcome to Sparta Sparta Juniors Seize the Red Apple Sparta Area Schools welcomes our new school resource officer Deputy Roe from Kent County Deputy Roe is a great addition to not only the staff here at Sparta but also to the School Safety Team SST This committee was established in early 2018 and is dedicated to proactively seek preventative measures to ensure maximum possible safety SST Mission Statement There is no doubt that Deputy Roe s presence will greatly benefit both the schools and the SST Deputy Roe took this job at Sparta not only to protect the students but also to get to know the kids and become friends with all of them That may seem like a big job considering the Deputy Roe and Char multiple buildings in our school district but Deputy Roe is determined to interact with each and every student Every day he makes his rounds visiting the high school middle school and elementary schools He was the guest speaker before the Homecoming games commenced at the high school has walked the halls of the middle school greeting all the kids he meets and has read aloud to the boys and girls at the elementary schools He has learned the names of many of the students in all grade levels and is dedicated to making a personal connection with each He greets students as they enter the school in the early hours of the morning and has even been seen on the daily student run newcast Spartan News Already he is making an positive impact on our schools and Sparta is lucky to have him Smiling Deputy Roe says I am very excited to be here I am proud be be a Spartan Appleview PBIS Kickoff Assembly Staff and students at Appleview kicked off their Positive Behavior Intervention Supports with an assembly where one of the games staff played was Hungry Human Hippos They demonstrated how to be an Appleview AllSTAR Safe Team player Act responsibly and Respect PBIS is an initiative that impacts students behavior in a positive manner by Lance Roark The 2018 Red Apple was earned by the Sparta High School juniors after weeks of hard work and dedication The homecoming festivities are always fun filled in this community and this past year s version was no different The announcement of the juniors victory was made after the Friday night football game which saw a packed Spartan Stadium despite the poor weather conditions Xavier Fishcher and Darby Eck were named homecoming king and queen prior to the announcement of the red apple winners The football team set the tone for a joyous post game ceremony defeating Forest Hills Eastern on the gridiron 38 3 The competitions throughout the week were vast and all encompassing from dressup days to Friday class competitions to floats and mock rocks It was a hard fought battle to the wire as the seniors and juniors were both within striking distance but ultimately the penultimate Sparta class had the endurance to win the victory Some new aspects of the homecoming experience included a live stream of the Friday events by Mr Owens and his media productions class a revival of the tug of war and the post game ceremonies Celebrity sportscaster and Sparta alum Ahmed Fahreed also provided a motivational speech on Friday during the pep assembly Assistant Principal Mrs Stacey Rumsey student council sponsor and Principal Matt Spencer provided the leadership that saw this version of homecoming as one of the most innovative ever Thanks to all the parents students teachers and community members who made this event the greatest in the state Lockers Lockers have been installed at Ridgeview Each hallway has lockers that match the hallway color and really spruce up the halls Students have been very excited to use these lockers and have their own space for their belongings
20 Volume 24 Issue 22 November 2018 SpartaTODAY BELL RINGER King Xavier Fischer Queen Darby Eck Homecoming Spirit in Sparta The fourth grade classes had a great time getting into the Homecoming Spirit this year The highlights of the week were the fun dress up days and the Spirit Walk on Friday The dress up days included sunglasses and hats a comfy pajama day formal dress mix and match crazy hair and blue and white day Students were very creative in their outfits and had a lot of fun Although the Friday of the Spirit Walk was a rainy day it did not stop the students from showing their spirit Students walked laps in the gym instead of outside and got to collect beads for Spartan colored bracelets The day ended with some teachers getting pied in the face by some lucky and hardworking students who raised 150 for the PTC It was a great week filled with Sparta Spirit Homecoming s a Success On Friday October 5th Sparta High School was underway in the competition for the red apple Crushing the pre homecoming day competitions the juniors rolled out the win of the red apple for the 2018 2019 school year It had been a close call between the juniors and seniors as they stayed neck and neck during the games mock rock and float competitions The day had been filled with different events in which each grade showed their Spartan pride and great sportsmanship All the of the excitement then traveled to the homecoming game where the Spartans beat Forest Hills Eastern 38 3 After the game was the king and queen ceremony Winning king was Xavier Fischer and winning queen was Darby Eck These festivities were made possible by the staff and students of Sparta High School and also from the support of the community A special shout out to Principal Mr Matt Spencer for all the support and enthusiasm he has for this day Also Mrs Stacey Rumsey Student Council Advisor for all of the support she gave the student council members as they worked to coordinate all the of festivities of homecoming Preschool and Childcare Programs are licensed by the State of Michigan and staffed by certified child care providers If you are interested in any of the programs call Amy Waldron director to register as soon as possible at 887 0068 Child must be three yearsold by November 1 2018 to attend the three year old class White Early Childhood Center Tuition Preschool Child must be toilet trained Sparta Area Schools has a three and four year old tuition preschool at White Early Childhood Center They meet for 3 hours per day three days a week for three year olds Tuesday Wednesday Thursday mornings or afternoons and four days a week for fouryear olds Monday through Thursday mornings Eligibility Child must be at least three 3 years old but not yet five 5 years old by November 1 2018 Child must be four yearsold by December 1 2018 to attend the four year old class District residents will receive first priority Parents must provide transportation Proof of immunizations and a birth certificate must be presented before school starts No child may enter the program unless all necessary documents are completed A 50 deposit is due at enrollment Classes are filled on a first come firstserved basis according to the enrollment date at the White Early Childhood Center office Free Preschool 4 Year Old Great Start Readiness Program Children are eligible for the program must be four 4 years old by December 1 2018 and meet two of the eligibility factors set forth from the State These factors include low birth weight restricted income siblings with academic struggles parents who were not high school graduates and others If you feel you might qualify or a family you know may qualify please Linda 616 647 8767 for more information White Early Childhood Center Child Care with Preschool For children ages 2 years 6months through 4 year olds This program is offered from 6 30 a m 6 00 p m throughout the year Monday Friday except for major holidays The program will remain open on snow days Children must be toilet trained Breakfast and nutritious snacks will be provided Children must bring a sack lunch afternoons Transportation is provided for students attending Ridgeview A 40 non refundable fee is due at enrollment Care is also available on no school days and snow days if needed at summer daycare costs per day Questions call Robyn Tryon at 887 1449 This program is housed at White Early Childhood Center The fee is 160 per week 32 per day A 50 non refundable fee is due at enrollment School Age Summer Care BAC BAC is for Children in Grades K 5 Before After School Care BAC BAC is for Children in Grades K 5 This program operates from 6 30 8 30a m and 3 30 6 00p m Monday through Friday at Appleview Elementary The fee per session is 6 00 for mornings and 9 50 for the This program operates from 6 30 6 00p m Monday through Friday at Appleview Elementary A 40 non refundable fee is due at enrollment Children attend field trips have fun with planned activities and enjoy group games Breakfast and nutritious snacks will be provided Children must bring a sack lunch Questions call Robyn Tryon at 887 1449