Comstock Park April 2024 : simplebooklet.com

The iconic LMCU Ballpark is currently undergoing a significant renovation proj-ect aimed at “reimagining” the facility that has been a staple in the community since its inception in 1994. I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Jim Jarecki, general manager of the West Michigan Whitecaps, and Steve McCarthy, president of the Whitecaps, to discuss the project and its implications for the community.Here are some of the things local residents, and fans, need to know about the Whitecaps’ vision for the future, which is now stretching into a fourth generation of fans. As local residents know, the new addition to the ballpark is visible from the US 131 Expressway. It’s been delayed and won’t open some of its new areas until July 1. The new addition encompasses three levels with a renovat-ed clubhouse to meet Major League Baseball standards for minor league facilities, batting tunnels for player use and community use, new hos-pitality areas, an extension of suites, a new loading dock and storage.A Vision for the FutureMcCarthy expressed the Whitecaps’ commitment to setting up the stadium for the next 30 years.“By the time we’re done with all the phases of this project, the idea is to touch almost all parts of this ball-park so it’s not ‘old part’ and ‘new parts.’ It’s all new, and that includes part of the seat-ing bowl and suite level.”“We want to set up this sta-dium for the next 30 years,” McCarthy said.Despite some delays, the project remains ambitious over the next few years, with plans encompassing mul-tiple phases to ensure the ballpark remains a vibrant hub for baseball and commu-nity engagement. McCarthy added, “It’s a big project... but it is still a very big build-ing and it’s complicated because you’re attaching it to a 30-year-old building, and remodeling part of that 30-year-old building.”Navigating ChallengesJarecki acknowledged the complexity of the project, particularly the intricacies of attaching new construction to an existing building.“We’re making accommo-dations for what we’re dealt with. It’s not ideal, but you know what, in the end, it’s going to be an incredible facility for the Whitecaps, the Tigers and the visiting teams, as well as for the fans,” he said.Delays have been encoun-tered, but both Jarecki and McCarthy emphasized that the end result will be well worth the wait.McCarthy said, “We always knew it was going to be a complicated process, so it’s not happening as quickly as we want, but it’s still going to be great.”What to ExpectWhile the renovations may not be immediately appar-ent to fans during the 2024 season, there are significant changes underway. The home and away clubhouses were supposed to be switched to start the season, but the delay has meant that the home Whitecaps will still occupy the first base dugout and the visitors will move to tempo-rary team structures in the North parking lot.“It will be like a classroom setting,” Jarecki said jokingly, “We’re going to smile at them and say, ‘Welcome to the Whitecaps’.”The switch is projected to take place on July 1, they said.MLB RequirementsJarecki and McCarthy said Major League Baseball asks for specific requirements in the Clubhouse and the play-ing field. Those include the warning track area (it has to be 15 feet), with padding on the field. “They have honed in on the safety of the players,” Jarecki said.Also, pitching bullpens will move (in 2025) from the first and third base lines on the playing field to outside the outfield playing area. Netting will also be extended from each side to the foul pole, almost all the way down.Looking AheadAs the project progress-es, the focus remains on “expanding the fan experi-ence is the main goal,” McCa-rthy said.The third base lawn will be back in mid-May. It will be between the elevated railing on the concourse level and the gray wall. And in 2025, the main entrance will get a new look and open and inviting feel to it. A glass wall above the entrance will allow suite level fans to see the Grand Rapids skyline.In addition, as is the trend in modern ballparks, the con-course will expand so fans can walk 360 degrees around the field. The elevated concourse will be about 23-24 feet in the air. Capacity this season www.comstockparkdda.org • Spring - April 1, 2024ECRWSS POSTAL CUSTOMERPreserving history, building the future: inside LMCU Ballpark’s renovationA major renovation project is underway at the LMCU Ballpark and includes new construction that will be added to the existing 30-year old building.The construction project at the LMCU Ballpark includes expansion of the concourse so fans will be able to walk 360 degrees around the eld.See LMCU, PG 3

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www.comstockparkdda.org Comstock Park Communicator April 1, 2024 | Page 3Comstock Park Communicator is published quarterly by Hearst Michigan Media Group for the Comstock Park Downtown Development Authority. Comstock Park DDAwww.comstockparkdda.orgP.O. Box 333Comstock Park, MI 49321Comstock Park DDA Board of DirectorsRichard Frey, chairman – rich@korehicom.comTom Coleman, Plainfield Township supervisor – colemant@plainfieldmi.orgEd Hood – ehood0812@gmail.comDavid Garland - David.M.Garland@huntington.comJim Jarecki – jjarecki@whitecapsbaseball.comNick Purwin – slpurwin@yahoo.comAlana Saindon - alanasaindon@gmail.comJohn Stephan – rjohnstephan@lawyer.comDawn Swafford - Dawn.Swafford@edwardjones.comJanis Vander Kooy, treasurer – jvanderkooy@sbcglobal.netDavid Washburn – dwashburn@cppschools.comEditorKaren Gentrykegentry@comcast.net(616) 647-2949Sales, Multi Media ConsultantJulie Lewis, Hearst Michigan Media GroupJulie.Lewis@hearst.com(231) 592-8373DesignJohn Eddy, Hearst Michigan Media GroupContributorsKathy BushJohn GonzalesGary HollandJoanne Bailey-BoorsmaPaula WrightDeborah HavensNew waterwheel, creek cleanup and overlook area coming to Dwight Lydell ParkWork will begin soon on the renovation and resto-ration of the waterwheel area in Dwight Lydell Park in Comstock Park. The wooden waterwheel will be replaced with a steel wheel of the same size and lights added for visu-al effect, according to Brian Mulligan, landscape architect with Kent County Parks. The waterwheel will be made of COR-TEN steel with a natu-rally oxidizing finish that is corrosion resistant so there is no need for painting.The banks along the creek will be cleaned up and some of the concrete barriers removed to create more of a natural bank. The project will also include an overlook area and wooden deck. On the side by the World War II memorial there will be some pavement improvement and a plaza type area. More trees will be plant-ed by the waterwheel includ-ing honey locust, columnar maple and tulip trees. Work on the project is expected to begin in late spring or early summer with the project completed by fall, according to Zac Sherlund, project manager with Kater-berg VerHage, the landscape contractor for the project. Sherlund expects the bulk of the project to be complete by Mill Creek Days in August. Katerberg VerHage also did the first phase of the renova-tion of Dwight Lydell Park.“It’s a unique, cool project. We’re very excited to get back there.” Sherlund said. The $600,000 project is funded by Kent County as well as a grant from the Right Place and some funds from the Comstock Park Down-town Development Authority.LMCUContinued from PG 1will be 8,500. Last year it was about 8,000 because there was no lawn.Jarecki said, “The goal is to not increase the seat-ing capacity. The goal is to increase the social gathering areas. Because (the trend in baseball stadiums) is to be more free flowing. People want to be able to roam the ballpark. They want to see the different sites. They don’t want to sit for nine innings,” Jarecki said.“The point isn’t to suddenly have 12,000 capacity. The point is to take our 8,500 fans and give them a better variety of experiences,” McCarthy said.Fans will be offered drink rail tickets and be able to stand in a numbered spot and wander around at their will. They could sit at a public picnic table. The suite level will offer an all-you-can-eat option.“Expanding the fan experi-ence is the main goal,” McCa-rthy said.Both Jarecki and McCarthy emphasized the importance of building and maintaining community ties. McCarthy said, “We’re on our third generation of fans and even close to our fourth generation now... But we also want to make it where we have the accommodation of what’s new.Private Investment and LongevityA noteworthy aspect of the project is that it is entirely privately funded, a testament to the vision and dedication of the Whitecaps’ leadership under Lew Chamberlin and Denny Baxter, Jarecki said.“They knocked on doors (to gather investors) and made it privately owned,” he added.Only about six out of 120 teams in the Minor Leagues are privately owned.“No taxpayer dollars…It’s an incredible story, if you think about it. It started as a $6 million facility back in ’94, and look what it’s grown to,” Jarecki said.Looking BeyondWhile the Whitecaps have set the standard for Minor League Baseball operations, their focus remains on the community they serve. They don’t want to lose some of the ballpark’s nostalgia.“People still come out here and say, ‘I remember when….’ so we don’t want to lose that touch. But we also want to make it where we have the accommodation of what’s new,” Jarecki said. “We are addressing these needs for fans, clients, sponsors and companies.”What about Triple A instead of High-A?Despite the fact baseball fans in West Michigan would love to see the Whitecaps move up to Triple-A, Jarecki said the Whitecaps are under Player Development League contract to be the Tigers High-A affiliate through 2030. That is the length set by MLB for all minor league teams back in 2020 when there was realignment and 40 teams were cut across all levels.“Our desire has never been to go bigger, other than maybe Double A,” Jarecki said.Some of the drawbacks of Triple A:• Triple A teams incur more cost.• Players take planes, not buses.• The Whitecaps can’t do as much in the community with players, who are older and more established and have spent time in the Major Leagues.“We found our niche,” Jarecki said. “We know what Grand Rapids is, it’s a Tri-ple A city from a marketing standpoint, from a downtown area, to the community and suburban area, but we want to build this experience that people come here and they are amazed when they hear we are High A baseball.”As recognized by industry awards since 1994, the White-caps know what they’re doing.Last season the team’s 362,999 attendance outpaced six of the 30 AAA clubs and outdraw 25 of the 30 AA clubs. “It’s not necessarily about designation as it is about your market and com-munity support,” McCarthy said.The Whitecaps - right here in little, old Comstock Park - rank 23 out 120 minor league clubs, McCarthy said.“We want our facilities and the experience to look like the higher levels, regardless of the level that’s played here. When we went out and mas-ter planned this, the idea was, there should be zero short-comings of this facility should that day ever come where we could go up a level or two. It should be ready to plug and play,” McCarthy said.As the home opener approaches on April 9 and renovations are in high gear, excitement is palpable among fans and residents alike. The revamped LMCU Ballpark is poised to usher in a new era of baseball and community engagement, ensuring that it remains a cherished destina-tion for generations to come.By John GonzalezCommunity Journalist and Lifelong Baseball Fanmichigangonzo@gmail.comA drone captures some of the construction work that took place this winter at the LMCU Ballpark.

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Page 4 | April 1, 2024 Comstock Park Communicator www.comstockparkdda.org New DDA board membersThree new members were recently sworn in to the Comstock Park Downtown Development Authority board including David Garland, Dawn Swaord and Alana Saindon.Dawn Swaord, senior branch oce administrator, Edward Jones, Comstock Park.What led you to seek a board member position on the Comstock Park DDA?After serving as a Planning Commission for Alpine Township for nine years, I was looking for a new venture to give back to my community. Living and working in the Comstock Park has allowed me to devote my talents to Comstock Park. My desire is to continue to build relationships with residents and businesses so that Comstock Park continues to be a desirable place to live and work for future generations. What is your connection(s) to Comstock Park? How long have you lived in the area?I’m originally from Jonesville, Michigan and attended Ferris State University majoring in Court and Freelance Reporting. I then relocated to the Grand Rapids area and have been a resident of Comstock Park for more than 27 years. I joined the Comstock Park Rotary in November 2021 so that I could continue my desire to give back to our amazing community. The Comstock Park Rotary does a fantastic service to our area -- their commitment is second to none and I very much enjoy working with them at events such as the Chicken BBQ’s in Dwight Lydell Park, Gus Marker at Kenowa Hills Schools and the Families Helping Families Winter Wear drive. In 2023, I was welcomed on the Mill Creek Days Planning Committee. I am honored to be serving with such a talented group and excited for our 2024 event. What are some of the strengths of Comstock Park particularly along the West River Drive corridor?Comstock Park is fortunate to not only have new development with the LMCU Whitecaps and more recently Tommy’s Boats new facility but also has the historical landmarks such as Nick Finks and Mill Creek Tavern. This give us a nice blend of the new with the old and shows that we are supportive of new growth yet at the same time value our roots. What ideas or changes would you like to see in Comstock Park along the West River Drive corridor?I have always said “I live in Comstock Park, I work in Comstock Park, I have no reason to leave Comstock Park.” I am a huge supporter of our community and want to see our residents continue to support our local businesses. Like many in the community have expressed, I too want to see the doors reopen on our Nick Finks building. As a local landmark, I think we are all feeling a bit sentimental with it being unutilized for such a long period.Other personal, educational or familyIn my personal life, I enjoy roller coasters, parasailing, zip lining, travel and spending time with family and friends. My favorite vacation destinations to date are France and Los Angeles, California. My daughter Danielle is a 2017 graduate of Comstock Park High School. She lives in Las Cruces, New Mexico and she and her ancé Connor are planning a June 2024 wedding in Lake Garda, Italy. I am looking forward to celebrating them!David Garland, Huntington National Bank – assistant vice president/branch manager - Alpine branch What led you to seek a board member position on the Comstock Park DDA? I have always been a supporter of local government; we can make a tangible and meaningful dierence in the communities where we live and work. I was fortunate enough to serve on the Grand Haven Main Street/Downtown Development Authority board for more than 10 years and saw a positive change in growth in that community. I want to be able to bring past experience to the community where I live. What is your connection(s) to Comstock Park? How long have you lived in the area?My wife Melissa and I are both alumni of Ferris State University and moved to the greater Grand Rapids area shortly after graduation. We lived for a short time in Saint Louis, Missouri, and had the opportunity to return in 2005, settling in Comstock Park. We are avid Whitecaps fans and were part of the host family program for 18 years and hosted 23 ball players. Our son William is a freshman at Comstock Park High School and participates in marching band, concert band, jazz band, pep band, and baseball. Pia is our exchange student from Germany and is a senior at Comstock Park; she is active with the sideline and competitive cheer team and drama club. As parents, we are involved with the marching band and athletic boosters, helping with fundraising and volunteering. We are also active volunteers in our sporting communities; I am a long time board member of the Trailriders Snowmobile Club of Lake County and Melissa is a board member for Lake Eect Figure Skating Club and a gold level judge for US Figure Skating. What are some of the strengths of Comstock Park particularly along the West River Drive corridor?This corridor is the backbone of our community, with so many dierent types of businesses. I love that I can get high-quality meat at a local butcher shop, move down the street to get popcorn, ll my propane tank, see an attorney or insurance agent, have a great meal at one of the many restaurants, and then go to a professional baseball game. We have generational family-owned businesses, large corporations, franchises, and new startups. We’re a place for people to work, play, and do business. How exciting! What ideas or changes would you like to see in Comstock Park along the West River Drive corridor?We have some great-looking properties and some properties that need updating. Let’s use our façade grant program, available through the DDA, to help improve the look of businesses in our area. We have some vacant storefronts and parcels -- let’s use the charm and growth of Comstock Park to ll these spaces with thriving businesses that our residents and businesses will support. We need to be proud that we are at Mile Zero of the 92-mile White Pine Trail -- let’s promote our recreational areas and parks. I look forward to serving our community and am always looking for community feedback. Please email dgar329@sbcglobal.net to discuss our community.Alana Saindon, owner Style Up Hair Studio & Bridal Lounge, Comstock ParkWhat led you to seek a board member position on the Comstock Park DDA? I wanted to be involved in my community and decision making where my business is located. I would like to attract more family areas to Comstock Park. What is your connection(s) to Comstock Park? I have owned a business in Comstock Park for eight years. I chose the location after working in a nearby salon. What are some of the strengths of Comstock Park particularly along the West River Drive corridor?The small-town atmosphere of Comstock Park and many locally owned businesses are strengths of the West River corridor. What ideas or changes would you like to see in Comstock Park along the West River Drive corridor?I would like to see more walkable and dierent types of businesses such as a clothing store. Educational background I went to Kent Career Technical Center while in high school. I am a graduate of Northview High School and I’ve been doing hair since 2008. Alana SaindonDavid GarlandDawn Swaord

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www.comstockparkdda.org Comstock Park Communicator April 1, 2024 | Page 5www.NwSoc13.org • 616.514.0637NwSoc13@gmail.comFallSeaSonSignupS:EarlySignupDiScountSBEgininMay,rEgularanDlatESignupSJunEthroughSEptEMBEr.SpringSeaSonSignupS:EarlySignupDiScountSBEgininoctoBEr,rEgularanDlatESignupSFEBruarythroughapril.WinterSeaSoninFormationliStedontheSeaSonSpagethenW YouthSocceraSSociation(nWYSa)iS a volunteer-run programthat oFFerS introductorY,recreational,and recreational travel levelSoF Soccer For children ageS1-15regardleSS oF the communitY in WhichtheY live.Brian HumanBUSINESS SPOTLIGHTBrian Huffman knows the value of good insurance. Huff-man, owner of the State Farm Insurance Agency at 3938 West River Drive in Comstock Park, said he and his staff came to work one Monday morning to find a car had crashed through the building. The driver had overshot the corner at Lamoreaux Drive and West River Drive.“It happened late on a Sun-day night,” recalled Huffman. “We got here on Monday morning, and there was a car sitting in the office.“We had good insurance,” he added.Huffman’s father worked for State Farm, and Huff-man followed in his father’s footsteps. Huffman began his career in 1987 when he worked in claims for State Farm in Seattle, Washington for three years and then a year in Lansing. He decided to become an agent because he “didn’t want to stay in claims…sit in an office. An agency gives him opportuni-ties to meet people and build relationships.“It’s neat to see people come in…their kids were three when they first came here, now they’re driving.”Huffman moved to the Comstock Park office in 1991 to replace the retiring agent who had been there 20 years and bought the 1,000 square-foot building. He has two full-time employees.He enjoys his downtown Comstock Park location and interacting personally with clients. Things are different in the insurance business than they were when he started, Huffman noted. Technology has lessened the need for in-person interaction. “How can I develop a relationship with a client if they’re in Detroit,” noted Huffman who prefers meeting his clients in person and get-ting to know them so he can assess their insurance needs. He said there is a challenge for agents. “Most people who want a quote go to statefarm.com and the company can pick and choose which agent they get,” he said. “The challenge is we want people to call us (the agents), not State Farm.”During the pandemic State Farm had its best years, Huffman said. The company lowered rates because there were fewer accidents and the accidents that happened were less severe because people were driving less.State Farm agents are responsible for their own local advertising. Huffman advertises in the Comstock Park High School sports programs and yearbook, and he supports the local Little League and the Relay for Life. Many of Huffman’s clients are local. and he said the worst large-scale catastrophe in Comstock Park was the straight-line winds in the mid-1990’s that uprooted large trees and ripped roofs off buildings. A very close second was the tornado that tore through Comstock Park in August 2023. Huffman offers auto, home, renters, life, and busi-ness insurance. Continuing education is required for agents who must keep up with changes in regulations. Huffman called his initial training at claims school “like a boot camp” that lasted a month. Besides forms and procedures, trainees learn the history of the State Farm Insurance, headquartered in Bloomington Illinois and founded in 1922 by G. J. Meherle, an Illinois farmer. “Farmers in the area got together, put their money in a pot so if a barn burned down, it was covered,” Huffman said.Huffman grew up in Mar-shall Michigan and is a gradu-ate Marshall High School and Northern Michigan Univer-sity with a degree in business management. Huffman and his wife Kristi, a vice-presi-dent at Westrock, a printing and packaging company, live in Cascade and have two grown daughters and a two-year-old granddaughter. Huffman likes to golf. He and his wife enjoy outdoor activi-ties and have a cottage in the Upper Peninsula.By Kathy BushState Farm owner enjoys interacting with Comstock Park area residents

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Page 6 | April 1, 2024 Comstock Park Communicator www.comstockparkdda.org Jon and Molly Howell will open Golf 616 in April in the former Elk Brewing facility.Indoor golf anyone? Golf 616 moved into the former Elk Brewing facility on 400 Dodge St. NE and will open sometime in early April. The indoor golf simulator business is for all skill levels and ages and open to every-one, according to Jon Howell, owner of the business.Golf 616 includes four golf simulators and five total bays, including one with a private setting.“We’re doing lessons, club fittings and we’re going to host league and tournament play,” Howell said. Prices vary depending on the day of the week. “We charge anywhere from $40-$60 an hour. It typically takes one hour for one person to play 18 holes,” Howell said.The former restaurant area will include a small golf shop where customers can pur-chase golf balls, gloves, hats, putters and bags. A kitchen will offer a small sampling of food.Golf 616 uses Trackman 10, a cutting-edge technology that provides precise analyt-ics and feedback. Trackman is also a sponsor of the PGA.Junior Golf FocusAlthough there’s some other golf simulators in the Grand Rapids metropolitan area, Golf 616’s junior golf focus, from the youngest kids up to high school kids, sets it apart from the competition.“We’re a place for juniors to come. We offer special, discounted rates for juniors,” Howell said. He is currently working on the development of winter and summer pro-grams for juniors. Howell and his wife Molly Howell spent a year looking for a location for their golf business after their CatchAir, an indoor playground for kids, closed in 2022. They like the location of the former Elk Brewing, a 5,000-square-foot facility. Hours for Golf 616 are Monday – Thursday – 9 a.m. – 10 p.m., Friday and Satur-day 8 a.m. – 11 p.m. and Sun-day from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Howell’s background is in sales, marketing and manage-ment and his wife is currently a psychologist for Sparta Public Schools. The couple lived in the Atlanta area for eight years and moved back to Michigan after their second child was born.For more information visit https://golf616michigan.com.By Karen GentryGolf simulator business moves into former Elk Brewing facility Drew Howell practices golf at Golf 616 owned by her parents.Clint Howell swings a golf club at his parents’ new indoor golf facility in Comstock Park.Mill Creek Days update Get ready for Mill Creek Days 2024August 8, 9, 10There will be expanded craft fair, beer tent, commu-nity celebration, Renaissance Faire, parade10k/5k run, Rotary BBQ, dancers, bands, activities for kids and more!To volunteer or send ideas email millcreekdayscp@gmail.com

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www.comstockparkdda.org Comstock Park Communicator April 1, 2024 | Page 7I’m here to help you through every step of the way. As a 40 yearresident of West Michigan and 24 years in the Real Estate BusinessI bring a weath of experience. I’ll work with you to ensure the homeselling and buying process is seamless and successful.Contact me today to schedule your free consultation.karikippenrealtor@gmail.com | kariki ppenhomes.com | 616-262-5124I LOVE &HAVE BEENHELPING OURCOMMUNITYSINCE 2000!As the owner of a hair salon, Shandra Scheidel sees an outcome of the pandemic that other people probably don’t notice - many of us are sporting longer hairdos. “During the pandemic peo-ple couldn’t go get their hair cut, and they let it grow,” said Scheidel, owner of The Heitz Salon in Comstock Park. “The pandemic opened up possi-bilities for people to try new styles.”Shandra Scheidel knew at an early age she wanted be a hair stylist.“Since I was probably three, I always wanted to do hair,” said Scheidel. “Every doll I got, I cut its hair, I curled all my girlfriends’ hair.”After graduating from Chic University of Cosmetology in 1992, Scheidel went to work in the hair salon and barber shop located in the Alpine Avenue Meijer until she bought her own salon, then called April’s, at 3948 West River Drive in 1996. The 800-square-foot shop, had been in April Bonser’s family since her grandparents bought it in 1943. Scheidel said she has people who came to her for a haircut as a teen-ager, and she is now cutting their children’s hair.“My mom went there (April’s), and I started com-ing when I was five,” said Scheidel. “I worked at April’s as a receptionist.”Scheidel grew up in Com-stock Park and still lives in Comstock Park. She has three grown children who went to Comstock Park schools. “I love the community, how peo-ple look out for each other,” Scheidel said. There are three other stylists at the shop.In her 28 years as a busi-ness owner in Comstock Park, Scheidel has seen changes in the downtown area, including the streetscape built in the 1990’s and the White Pine trailhead being brought to downtown Comstock Park in the 2000’s. Both were proj-ects of the Comstock Park Downtown Development Authority. She thinks the Whitecaps coming to the area in 1994 “is the best thing to happen to Comstock Park.” There are no longer hair style magazines in the salon. Scheidel says people now search online for ideas.“It (the Internet) provides us a way to get out of the box instead of just what books show,” she said. “We urge people to bring pictures in.”It’s likely that miles of hair have fallen in the small build-ing over the decades, and Scheidel has donated some of that to Locks of Love, an organization that uses donat-ed hair to provide hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children suffering from long-term medical hair loss.Over the years, Scheidel has made an observation about men, women, and hair.“I find that guys are more particular about hair,” she said. “I think women have learned to be more flexible. I’ve had guys take measure-ments to make sure it’s (hair) an exact length.”Scheidel noted that hair-dressers literally touch peo-ple, and she is confident that technology such as artificial intelligence will never replace hair stylists because, “We are one of the few professions that you can’t replace the per-son. We are a necessity.”Besides, it’s the in-person experience that’s import-ant about ‘getting your hair done,” she said. “It’s not just a haircut, it’s friendship.”By Kathy BushHeitz Salon stylists keep up with latest trendsBUSINESS SPOTLIGHTShandra ScheidelDairy De-lite opens this year with new ownersThe new owners of Dairy De-lite plan no major changes to the popular ice cream busi-ness. They closed on the sale of Dairy De-lite in June 2023.Travis Snook and his wife Ashley Lefers still plan to offer the homemade waffle cones the shop is known for as well as the Hudsonville ice cream and the popular flur-ries.“I plan on running it in the same way,” Snook said. “We will introduce some new fla-vors – sprinkle in some spe-cialty ice cream and specialty flavors.”Snook works as a journey-man mold maker for HS Die and was looking for a new opportunity. He bought the business and building that includes an upstairs storage area that he plans to reno-vate. He grew up in northeast Grand Rapids and has been a resident of the Westgate neighborhood in Comstock Park for 10 years. He and his wife have three young chil-dren.Snook plans to hire about 10 employees including several who want to return this year.The most recent owners of Dairy De-lite were Nate and Raechel Macqueen. Rae-chel’s father Randy Wrona purchased the shop in 1993. Lynn Meyer, Wrona’s sister and Raechel’s aunt, bought it from her brother after working there for three years. Many employees throughout the years have been family members.Comstock Park resident Travis Snook is the new owner of Dairy De-lite on West River Drive.

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Page 8 | April 1, 2024 Comstock Park Communicator www.comstockparkdda.org Around Town…Dr. Stephan Bohemier, owner of Legacy Family Chiropractic, located at 4064 Alpine Ave. NW, Suite B, has been in Comstock Park for four years. He is known for helping people get well, especially those with conditions that are hard to treat. He treats many Comstock Park area patients as well as others from as far as two hours away. 1. Mostafa Eshraghi has worked at the Circle K, 4811 West River Drive in Comstock Park for 12 years. When asked if he enjoys his job he says “it’s all good.”At a Golden Panthers crafting activity at the Henze Center on Feb. 16, participants decorated tiles using Sharpies, rubbing alcohol and Mod Podge. Emma met Wrangle during the “Hug a Huskie” event at the KDL Alpine Branch Library on Jan. 8. The Siberian huskies belong to Tun-Dra Kennels in Nunica. Tun-Dra was founded in 1967 by Dan Cheadle, one of the early organizers of the Iditarod in Alaska. Deane Cheadle, who runs the kennel with her daughter Roma, said Tun-Dra breeds Siberian huskies and boards and grooms all breeds of dogs.Two-year-olds Breton and Jack enjoyed an unseasonably warm day in February at Dwight Lydell County Park in Comstock Park. A Shamrock Hunt took place at Dwight Lydell Park on Saturday, March 9 at Dwight Lydell Park. The event was sponsored by Comstock Park Community Outreach and the Comstock Park Library. Comstock Park residents Jazmyn, 11 and her brother Anthony, 8 found a shamrock hidden in a rainbow. More than a foot of snow blanketed the Comstock Park area in mid-January.

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www.comstockparkdda.org Comstock Park Communicator April 1, 2024 | Page 9See GILMORE, PG 10Voted Top Doc s in Orthodontics!- GR Magazine275 S. State St., Sparta616-887-4002www.BriedenMillerOrtho.com2024OR CUSTOM 3D BR ACESContact us today for yourContact us today for yourFREEFREEexam!exam!BRACE YOURSELFBRACE YOURSELFFOR THE BEST SMILE!FOR THE BEST SMILE!Longtime residents remem-ber “The Terrace.” Fondly.Located off West River Drive that required guests to take a windy drive up a hill to a variety of rooms for wed-dings, anniversaries, office work parties, special events and more, made it a venue that was a part of our lives for generations.Today, it’s part of the famed The Gilmore Collec-tion, best known for The B.O.B. in downtown Grand Rapids, and best known for nightlife, catering and special events.Taking over ownership of The English Hills Terrace in December of 2021, reps at The Gilmore recently unveiled the newly renovated building they are calling “The Gilmore.”They are calling it a “new era of elegance” with a “breath of fresh life into the former English Hills Terrace,” and they promise it will be a versatile and “character-rich venue for weddings and spe-cial events,” they said in a release.Lori Wilmes, executive to the assistant director at The Gilmore Collection, said the new owners honored con-tracts for the coming year after taking over ownership to get a flow of the space, and then shut down to renovate the building and the grounds.But why take on such a project with a busy downtown business, and as many as eight additional restaurants in West Michigan, including The Kirby House in Grand Haven, Blue Water Grill off Northland Drive in Grand Rapids and Rose’s in East Grand Rapids, among others.Wilmes said it was the idea of adding a “standalone venue” to their portfolio of properties that appealed to owners.“It was a two-fold deci-sion,” she said. “We could, No. 1, expand further into the community, and No. 2 expand our catering opera-tions because we’re growing so big.”She admitted that hav-ing on-site parking was a big draw, especially when enticing events such as trade shows, who struggle for park-ing downtown. (They also have paved the parking lot.)“Here it’s our own stand-alone venue,” she reinforced.Plus, it has “history, roots and a foundation” in the com-munity.“My in-laws actually got married here 50 years ago, so I know the building is very old,” Wilmes said. “I always refer to it as a historic build-ing in the community because it sounds like everyone got married here back in the day.”It was the place to be as Adrian’s Ramona Terrace and The English Hills Terrace.As “The Gilmore,” the facil-ity will feature three banquet rooms, all meticulously refur-bished and blending the time-less allure of Art Deco with the iconic charm of Mid-Cen-tury Modern design.According to a release, the goal of The Gilmore Catering is to offer “a venue that seam-lessly merges vintage sophis-tication with contemporary flair.”Wilmes said owner Greg Gilmore and his wife Jacque-line Gilmore made the deci-sion to go with the motif of sophistication.“We leaned into keeping everything very modern and neutral,” Wilmes said, “with whites and blacks, it does go with a lot of color themes, not just for weddings, but for any event. It’s clean, it’s classic.“They also leaned into those Art Deco greens. Gilm-ore is green. It flows really well in here. And the gold accents make it a little more richer.”Key Features of The GilmoreArt Deco Elegance: Guests stepping into The Gilmore will be transported to the opulent era of the 1920s. The venue’s Art Deco décor features sleek lines, bold geometric patterns, and lux-urious materials, evoking an ambiance of grandeur.Mid-Century Modern Influence Complementing the Art Deco theme is the timeless appeal of Mid-Century Mod-‘The Gilmore’ Unveiled: A Stylish Transformation in Comstock ParkThe Gilmore is now open to a variety of events including weddings, corporate meetings, private parties, and galas.Visitors get an early look at The Gilmore (formerly English Hills Terrace) on West River Drive owned by The Gilmore Collection.The Gilmore features three refurbished banquet rooms, with Art Deco and Mid-Century Modern design.

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Page 10 | April 1, 2024 Comstock Park Communicator www.comstockparkdda.org www.serenitywellnesschiro.comDr. LynnMarie S. Leyderinfo@serenitywellnesschiro.com542 S. State St. • Sparta MI 49345phone: 616-887-2178374 Seminole Rd. • Norton Shores, MI 49444.phone: 231-375-5995YourYourPartnerPartnerin O ptimalin O ptimalPerformancePerformanceChiropractic care can hep reducepain, increase exibility andprotect against injury.Call today to scheduleyour consultation!• Spinal Adjustments• Extremity Adjustments• Cold Laser• Traction• Decompression• Medical Massage• Deep Tissue & RelaxationMassage• Hot or Cold Stone Massage• Prenatal MassageGILMOREContinued from PG 9ern design, characterized by iconic furniture pieces, clean lines, and whimsical artwork, creating an inviting atmo-sphere.Versatile Event Spaces The Gilmore offers a vari-ety of event spaces to accom-modate weddings, corporate meetings, private parties, and galas.Wilmes said guests can choose from the Grand Luxe Ballroom to the vintage-style Twilight Lounge and the inti-mate Mercury Room. Guests can customize their expe-rience to suit their unique needs. Between all three rooms, the venue can accom-modate 1,000-1,200 people.In addition, she said the Mercury Room, which has a capacity of 150-175, offers her flexibility. It’s an add-on for customers who can use it for silent auctions or cocktail hours, or she can use it for outdoor weddings in case of rain.Along with the refurbished rooms, Wilmes said those renting the space can expect state-of-the-art amenities. The Gilmore is equipped with modern amenities for guests’ comfort and convenience, including large LED walls, advanced audiovisual sys-tems, and high-speed Wi-Fi.Weddings are a little slow for 2024 because most were booked far in advance, but they are taking reservations for 2025 and can accommo-date those who still want to get married this year.“The perk, too, for this building is that we inherited this garden space for outdoor ceremonies, and that’s been a huge draw for couples,” Wilmes said.She said the holidays are busy with four parties already booked for December.As for catering, The Gilm-ore promises an exceptional culinary experience with locally sourced ingredients, ensuring that food remains the highlight of any event, she said.Overall, she just hopes the local community appreciates a venue in the area for their special events.“We’re getting a differ-ent clientele,” Wilmes said. “We’re getting more Rock-ford, Belding, Newaygo, Com-stock Park and Northview communities, who don’t want to travel all the way down-town.“This has really been bene-ficial because they’re starting to see there’s not much in the Rockford area, either, for events, so you have to go downtown. This is kind of like the halfway mark, and it’s almost half the cost at this point. The convenience of it is the biggest draw.”For more information about The Gilmore, including booking inquiries and event details, visit www.thegilmore-gr.com. To book a site tour, contact lori@gilmorecatering.com.By John GonzalezAlpine Township Historical Commission The Alpine Township Historical Commission will host Return of the Centennial Farm Display and Alpine Farm Video Sunday, May 19 from 2-4 p.m. at the Henze Center. The program is a look back at Alpine Township’s agricultural heritage. The event is free to the public. Coffee With a CopPlainfield Township’s Coffee with a Cop meets 10 a.m. on Thursdays at the Plainfield Township Offices, 6161 Belmond Ave. Deputies talk with residents about how to prevent and reduce crime in their neighborhood and answer questions about incidents in the area and other concerns. The deputies also do off-site programs like the Sherriff’s Department’s Mounted Unit facility in Rockford.The Comstock Park American Legion will conduct a flag retirement ceremony at noon on Monday, May 27 at the Legon on 38111 West River Drive NE. There will also be a chicken barbeque. Plainfield Grand Rogue Historical SocietyThe Plainfield Grand Rogue Historical Society is hosting a two-day open house from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 4 and 1-5 p.m. on Sunday May 5 at the Hyser Rivers Museum, 6440 West River Drive. This year’s museum theme is “Notable Names: Prominent People and Places,” that concentrates on early first family settlers and street signs that honor them in Plainfield Township. Visitors can tour the museum, formerly the home of doctor and Civil War Cavalry Captain William Hyser, view artifacts and learn about the history of the now-vanished Plainfield Village where Dr. Hyser began his practice in 1852. The museum will be open for tours 2 -4:30 p.m. June 2, July 7, Aug. 4, Oct. 6, Nov. 3, and Dec. 1, and from 1-5 p.m. Sept. 8. The open houses are free and open to the public.Golden Panthers Programs for SeniorsAll programs take place 1 p.m. at the Henze Center, 1100 Henze St. between Sam’s Club and Walmart on Alpine Ave. The events are free and open to the public.April 19: Beginning Line DanceBeginner as well as experienced line dancers are invited to join the CP Line Dance Crew for a beginning line dance lesson. The dances will be easy and fun.May 31: Senior ExpoVarious agencies in the area will be on hand to explain resources available to seniors. Vendors include AARP, Senior Neighbors, Area Agency on Aging. TOPS, Hospice, State Farm, and more. Refreshments will be served.Comstock Park Rotary Chicken BBQThe first Comstock Park Rotary Chicken BBQ of the season will take place starting at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 6 at Dwight Lydell Park. Chicken, sausage and rib dinners available. For more information visit the Comstock Park Rotary Facebook page.Upcoming events

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www.comstockparkdda.org Comstock Park Communicator April 1, 2024 | Page 11www.boumastorage.com*CLIMATE CONTROLLED STORAGE*MOBILE STORAGE CONTAINERSThe Bouma Self-Storage Sta: Ralph, Jackie, Jean, Rayboumastorage@comcast.net* EPS security with 10 digital camera’s recording 24/7*All perimeter infra-red beam surveillance, with alarm* Touch pad access code with unit # , time , tenant3700 Millcreek NE, Comstock Park, MI 49321(Along 131/ Just north of I-96)616-784-52145241 Plaineld Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525(Near East Beltline)616-364-49882 locations to serve you!Senior Prom Hoedown April 18 at CPHS Fine Arts Center The Comstock Park Rotary is hosting the Senior Prom for ages 60+ from 3-5 p.m. on Thursday, April 18 at the Comstock Park High School Fine Arts Center. This year it’s a country theme -- Senior Prom Hoedown.The return of the senior prom is the first since COVID. The first prom took place in 2015 – the event has attracted about 120 attendees in the past. Sponsors include the Com-stock Park Rotary, Amore Trattoria Restaurant, Alpine Floral and Glitter Booth. Music will be provided by a DJ, and there will be food, dancing and door prizes. The event is free, but pre-registration required. Call 616-784-0626 or email alpinefloral@att.netSherriff’s deputies to judge Alpine Township Maple Syrup ContestLocal producers will put their maple syrup to the test at Alpine Township’s Best of the Ridge Maple Syrup Contest which takes place 2-4 p.m., Sunday, April 21, at the Henze Center, 1100 Henze St. Deputies from the Kent Coun-ty Sherriff’s Department will judge the entries. The public is invited to try some maple syrup and pancakes cooked up by the Alpine Township Historical commission. This is the 13th year for the con-test.The area’s maple syrup making dates back to 1900’s families who tapped groves of trees for maple syrup. Today it can be a profitable craft or hobby.A young Mildred Cranmer (1888-1972) carries buckets of maple syrup on her family’s farm on Eight Mile Road in Alpine Township. (Picture courtesy of the Alpine Township Historical Commission)

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Page 12 | April 1, 2024 Comstock Park Communicator www.comstockparkdda.org Athletic Hall of Fame inducteesInductees selected for CPHS Athletic Hall of Fame The Comstock Park High School Athletic Hall of Fame committee selected induct-ees for 2024. Athletes to be inducted include: Jeff Karasinski (2007) and Ryan McCarthy (2003). Other inductees include coach Tim Johnson, honorary inductees Sam and Rose Weatherwax and the CPHS Competitive Cheer Team of 2011.The inductees will be hon-ored during a banquet and induction ceremony during Homecoming Week 2024 on Wednesday, Sept. 25 at the Scott Lake Golf Club. The inductees may participate in the Homecoming Parade on Friday, Sept. 27 and will be recognized at the homecom-ing game.The cost to attend the ban-quet and induction ceremony is $20 with limited seating. Those interested in attending should contact the CPHS Ath-letic Office for more details about purchasing tickets.Hall of Fame Display Area and Touch BoardThe CPHS Athletic Hall of Fame continues to raise funds to create a new display area for the Hall of Fame plaques. Some of the proceeds from the banquet/induction cere-mony will be applied to help pay for the new display area. However, more funds are needed to make the display area a reality. To contribute to the creation of this display area, send your check made out to CPHS Athletic Hall of Fame to the CPHS Athletic Office.The CPHS Athletic Hall of Fame also supports the new touch board which was installed in the hallway near the entrance of the gymna-sium. Information about Comstock Park High School is available by simply touching the giant television screen. Along with current infor-mation about CPHS, there is information about CPHS heritage including the Athlet-ic Hall of Fame. Pictures and lists of the accomplishments of all CPHS Athletic Hall of Fame members are easily accessible. The touch board informa-tion can also be viewed at http://cphs.touchpros.com. Alumni Game Day helps fund Tribute ScholarshipA reunion of former Com-stock Park High School ath-letes took place on Feb. 17, 2024, at Mill Creek Middle School. This special event was organized by Aaron Peo-ples, CPHS science teacher and track and cross country coach. Former CPHS athletes, current CPHS staff members, and interested spectators made donations of $5 to $100 to participate in this event with the proceeds going towards the Tribute Scholar-ship, a $1000 annual scholar-ship given to a CPHS graduate who attends Grand Rapids Community College.The Alumni Games started back in the 1990’s by former coach Gary Holland and long-time community member Herb Wood. Peoples took it over about 10 years ago and has expanded it to include soccer, volleyball, a girls’ basketball game, and two men’s basketball games. It’s a tremendous amount of fun for the participants, a chance for relatives and friends to see their loved ones play again, and (by the way) the day long event raised over $1200 for the Tribute Scholarship. If you would like to partic-ipate next year, contact Peo-ples at apeoples@cppschools.com. All CPHS alumni and current and former staff members are welcome to par-ticipate. Checks for donations to the Tribute Scholarship can be made out to the Comstock Park High School Tribute Scholarship and mailed to Grand Rapids Community College Foundation, Attn: Mary Reed, GRCC Founda-tion Coordinator, 143 Bost-wick Ave., Grand Rapids, MI 49505Sta Team for the Girls Basketball Alumni vs. Sta Game on Feb. 17 at Mill Creek Middle School. From left: Beth Hull, Lauren Peoples, Kendra Faustin, Kendra Beasley, Taylor Pitsenburger, Anna Stornant, Trisha Genie, and Aaron Peoples, organizer of the event.

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www.comstockparkdda.org Comstock Park Communicator April 1, 2024 | Page 13Mural coming to Comstock Park LibraryA mural on the outer wall facing the parking lot of the KDL Comstock Park Branch library is in the works. Penni Zurgable, KDL regional man-ager, said the Comstock Park library has commissioned Lions and Rabbits to facilitate public art at the library.“The library has invited community members to pro-vide input about what the mural should look like by tell-ing us what images they asso-ciate with Comstock Park,” Zurgable said. This project has been a staff dream for some time and the library is very excited to move forward with Lions and Rabbits on this project. The community input session on the mural took place in late March, and the library will soon see concept art for the new mural. “The library wants to hear from our community and may even be looking for help with the actual painting in May.” Zurgable said. More updates will be available on the Com-stock Park library Facebook page and at the library.Program RoundupKDL Comstock Park Branch Library has several spring events planned for the community Eclipse MadnessIn celebration of the upcoming eclipse on April 8, the Library will be hosting two eclipse related programs with a limited number of eclipse glasses available as giveaways.Total Eclipse of Sun (KDL Lab) – 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 2 Activities include exploring shadows, animal behavior and all things eclipses.Eclipse Viewing Party – 2 p.m., Monday, April 8 View the eclipse at the library (weather permitting) and watch the livestream from NASAYouth and Family Programs Storytime – 10 a.m. Mon-day, Wednesday (Spanish), and Friday through April 26 Spring Craft Extrav-aganza at 2 p.m. on Thursday, April 4 Bluey Bonanza at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday May 7 at 6:30 pmCelebrate your favorite blue heeler, Bluey! Crafts, games and plenty of ways to stretch your imagination with your favorite Aussie pups.Teen Programs Teen Zone at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, April 17 and Wednesday, May 15 Teen only fun for teens and their friends. Making Bullet Journals in April and Pony Bead Party in May.Super Smash Bros Tourna-ment at 6:30 p.m. on Thurs-day, April 4 It’s E Sports time for Teens! Compete at Super Smash Bros using Nintendo Switch. One champion will be crowned.Adult ProgramsTea Towel Printing at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 11 Stamping at its finest -- this class will introduce the basics of wood carving for block printing. Participants will leave with a tea towel that they designed.Tiny Garden Succulent Workshop at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 16 Participants will create their tiny garden succulent masterpiece while receiving step-by-step instructions and getting answers to all their care questions.Library ClosureThe Comstock Park library will be closed on Monday, April 29, Tuesday, April 30 and Wednesday, May 1 for building maintenance –new light fixtures will be installed. Other KDL locations includ-ing the Plainfield branch will be open on those days.By Paula WrightThe Comstock Park library will host Total Eclipse of the Sun at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday April 2 and an Eclipse Viewing Party at 2 p.m. on Monday, April 8.Youngsters at the Comstock Park library enjoy story time with Mr. Fletcher on March 18. He’s a popular story teller and the kids have a lot of fun.Area residents are invited to Tiny Garden Succulent Workshop at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 16 at the Comstock Park library.

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Page 14 | April 1, 2024 Comstock Park Communicator www.comstockparkdda.org Comstock Park School NewsSeeing students discover something for the first timeIn ninth grade, Aaron Peoples took a biology class. It was during that class he remembered making the deci-sion, “I am going to get paid using this.”Through some exploration at Grand Valley State Uni-versity, he made his second decision: to become a biology teacher, because he found it gave him the opportunity to connect with people.“I always say I use biology as a way to have a conversa-tion with you,” he said. “Not like, it’s the most important thing we’ll always converse about, but since we’re in here, I’ll use that as the avenue.”Twenty-six years later, Peo-ples said he still enjoys shar-ing his knowledge and learn-ing about his students, but mostly he loves seeing that spark of understanding and discovery when his students have that “a-ha” moment. School News Network spoke to him about the ups, downs, ins and outs of being a teach-er. What is the thing that gets you up in the morn-ing and excited about teaching? “I really love the fact that I cannot totally predict my day. Looking back at different jobs I had, I didn’t want to know exactly how my day was going to go. … With teaching, even though I’ve got a plan for every day, the fact that even from hour to hour, I don’t know if everybody will react the same, that part’s a little bit exciting. A student may ask a brand-new question or they make an observation for the first time in their life. So every day, it could be some-thing new, even though I’ve done it numerous times.” What are some of the biggest challenges and how do you strive to meet them? “I think right now, the biggest challenge is knowing how, or being able, to find the balance between ‘should I push against this kid’ or ‘should I be understanding to know what it is they need.’ If you don’t know their entire life story, it could be the worst thing ever to push, versus a student being a little lazy and I should push. I think that’s probably the hardest one — do I really have the (correct) read on the situation and then (do I) know what is the best way to reach this student?”What are some of the biggest differenc-es in teaching pre- and post-pandemic? “There are two of them that stand out to me. The first one is attendance. I have not ever had as many students acquiring as many absences as they currently do. That was something that would happen here and there in my first 20 years, but in these last couple (years), the students who rack up multiple attendance issues are so much different. I think we had those two years (during the pandemic) where either you couldn’t come to school or we were going to be offering things online and you could either be here or or you could check in online. … Now we don’t have that, and so it’s like no, you need to fully join us back here at school. So attendance has definitely been something that I would say is a noticeable change in my career.“The second is the social-ness of students. Students used to group around their lockers more. They would talk more. We have five minutes (between classes) and they would ensure that they use four minutes and 30 seconds of the passing time (to be social). Now, they will be here (in the classroom), ‘Johnny on the spot.’ They have four more minutes to hang with their friends or be just doing whatever, and they will be right here. I don’t know if it’s because during the pan-demic, we said don’t cluster in groups, (or because) we’ve allowed backpacks so you don’t have to go to lockers … but they just don’t social-ly hang in the hallways as much.” What’s the most amaz-ing thing about high school students? “The most amazing thing is still the fact that you can meet students who have had a first experience with something, even if you’ve thought, ‘Oh, by high school, they’ve done that.’ “We have a project we do in the fall where we collect water and we’re looking at it, just making real-life obser-vations, and students will go, ‘All these things, I’ve never seen.’ To still be able to have those statements and ‘a-ha’ moments feels like it clicked.”Peoples said he keeps a col-lection of “dead things” in his classroom to spark both nov-elty and excitement: “The stu-dent who sees (the collection) for the first time and gets excited about it and who then … asks me why I have them and then proceeds to ask 20 more questions. … I am like, ‘Now you know exactly why I have them, because you just rattled off about five minutes of nothing but questions, which was, like, kind of the point and why they’re here.’”What would you say to someone considering teaching as a profession? “It’s an incredibly reward-ing profession, but you are in it full time. … No matter where you are, something may pop up and it will be, ‘I could use that for my class-room.’ It’s just one of those professions (where your mind is) never really turned off because at a moment’s notice, you might switch the gear, and you’re back think-ing about a classroom or (a student). So it is a career that you’ve got to like, because you’re going to be thinking about it all the time. “If you are looking for something where you come in and then be done at the end of the day, picking it back up tomorrow, this is not the career for you. But if you like to be kind of always contem-plating it, it’s a super-reward-ing career. I find working with people to be a highlight of the day and obviously, I have met a lot of people all through the years that I’ve taught.”What do you like about teaching biology? “The most exciting thing is that I literally have one of the easiest ways to say, ‘I guaran-tee you’re going to be using this.’ In biology, this will be something you do for the rest of your life, whether you consciously think about this or not. This is literally your story. Look outside the win-dow, look at yourself, go to a doctor’s office; which version do you want? There’s so many examples that I know the stu-dents are going to use.”By Joanne Bailey-BoorsmaSchool News Networkwww.schoolnewsnetwork.orgTeacher Aaron Peoples said one of the best things about teaching biology is that he can ‘guarantee’ it is something students will use. Brian HumanInsurance Agency, Inc.Brian Human, Agent3938 W R iver Drive NE,Comsto ck Park,MI 49321-8997Bus: 616 784 5465Fax: 616 784 6505brian.human.gd0e@statefarm.comProviding Insurance and Financial ServicesKeep up with the latest news with Comstock Park Public SchoolsVisit www.schoolnewsnetwork.org/category/comstock-park/His collection of ‘dead things’ is one way biology teacher Aaron Peoples gets his students to ask questions.

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www.comstockparkdda.org Comstock Park Communicator April 1, 2024 | Page 15Holy Spirit Episcopal ChurchInclusive community + ancient traditions + Loving Godand our neighbor.1200 Post Dr. NE Belmont, Mi 49306oce@holyspiritbelmont.org or Fr_Dan@holyspiritbelmont.orgFollow us on Facebookwww.holyspiritbelmont.orgWORSHIP WITH US AT 10:30ON SUNDAY MORNINGSLoaves and Fishes Food Pantry operated in cooperationwith Assumption VM Catholic Churchwww.facebook.com/BelmontFoodPantry.Thursdays from 6:00-7:30 pmRegister through Sanctuary Church in Comstock or North Kent Connect.3 Student Athletes of the MonthDecember Student Athlete of the Month Dakota Couturier, seniorSports: bowlingActivities: Link tutoring program, Junior Achievement for elementary students, vice president of CPHS Student Volunteers, manager girl’s softballHobbies: readingGoals: Elementary educa-tion at Michigan State Uni-versity where she has been accepted in the the MSU Hon-ors Program and awarded a Distinguished Alumni Schol-arship. She plans to graduate in three years. Dakota’s grandfather, Thom Becker got her started and taught her the fundamen-tals of bowling at the young age of seven and has been her personal coach ever since. He is the current CPHS bowling team coach and resurrected the bowling program just a few years ago. Bowling has been a family affair for Dakota. Her older brother, Gabe Becker, has also served as a mentor for her. She is currently the number one bowler on the girls’ team with a 170 average, up from 155 last year. Her goals include helping her team qualify and participate in the State Bowl-ing Tournament, finishing first in a bowling tournament, and bowling a 300 game. The closest she has come to her dream of bowling a 300 game is a game where she had all strikes except for three frames for score of 258. Dakota is an outstanding student who is currently in the top 10 of her graduating class. She has taken several AP classes and college classes at Grand Rapids Community as part of the college’s Early Enrollment Program. She has also taken summer classes which frees up her time to participate in the Link pro-gram, a tutoring program for high school students that are struggling in school. Dakota credits her mom, Julie Becker-Couturier, for a lot of her success. She has helped Dakota develop a great attitude where quitting is not an option, and any problem can be solved. These are the values that Dakota is passing down to the students that she mentors. Other advice that she gives her young students is to get involved in things that interest you in middle and high school and try not to put too much pressure on yourself as a student. She admires her teachers and points out Julie Barnes (fourth grade), Danielle Mead (fifth grade), and Brooke Ven-eman (high school) as three of the teachers that she admires most.January Athlete of the MonthLacey Sauline, seniorSports: basketball, volley-ball, trackAchievements: National Honor Society, volleyball Honorable Mention All-Con-ference as a junior, volleyball All-Conference as a senior, volleyball team captain, All-Conference track junior year Hobbies: golf, drawing Favorite athlete: Kylie Murr, professional volleyball playerGoals: Run the 400-meter dash in under 60 seconds this year, attend Grand Rapids Community College for two years, transfer to Grand Val-ley State University or Ferris State University to pursue a degree in physical therapy or chiropractic medicine, start a career to help people recover from injuriesLacey Salene is currently the captain of the girls’ bas-ketball team. She also played volleyball in the fall and runs track in the spring. She loves the team aspect of basketball and volleyball where players need to communicate with each other and work togeth-er to be successful. In track, Lacey specializes in running the 400-meter dash. She was also a member of the 800- and 1600-meter relay teams last year. Lacey attributes much of her success to her supportive parents, Mark and Jamie Sauline. Her volleyball Coach Bree also helped her with the mental aspect of sports and encouraged her to have confi-dence and stay positive.Lacey is also an exceptional student -- she is a member of the National Honor Society and earned a 3.9 GPA. She has taken AP classes and is attending Grand Rapids Community College as a dual enrollment student. Lacey is very concerned about bullying in schools, which she views as a huge problem in all schools today, not just Comstock Park. Her advice to young students and athletes is to work hard to improve your abilities and try to ignore put downs and neg-ative talk. She says, “Students need to reach out to others like an olive branch to help and support each other.”February Student- Athlete of the MonthAddison Nowakowski, senior Sports: sideline and Com-petitive CheerAchievements: All-Con-ference Competitive Cheer junior year, pending senior yearActivities: Student Council, theater, fall play, hair styling/makeup CPHS spring musical Goals: Attend Douglas J. School of Cosmetology, hair styling careerAddison has been a part of sideline and Competitive Cheer all four years of high school. She started as a cheer-leader in the third grade and has been very involved each year since then. She loves both sideline cheer and Com-petitive Cheer but admits that Competitive Cheer is her favorite. She loves the team aspect of Competitive Cheer, and this year was the captain and the back spotter. Accord-ing to Addison, the back spot-ter controls the routine and makes the calls that deter-mine the specific details of the routine. This year’s team recently took seventh place in the Regional Competition. It was an emotional competition for Addison as it signified the end of her Competitive Cheer journey as a competitor, although she intends to come back next year as a CPHS assistant cheer coach. She credits her coaches, especially Coach Hayley, for inspiring her to become the outstand-ing cheerleader that she has become. She also appreciates the great support that she has received from her parents, Thad and Mindy Nowakows-ki, and her grandfather, John Nowakowski.Addison advises young people to find out their inter-ests and become passionate about them. She hopes that the people of the world, and Comstock Park, will practice being kind to each other and communicate with each other when conflicts arise

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Page 16 | April 1, 2024 Comstock Park Communicator www.comstockparkdda.org Finding focus and a fresh start through auto mechanics Comstock Park High School Junior Braydon Kava-nagh said his heart just about stopped when a Kent Career Tech Center instructor pulled him out of class to have a “word with him.”“I was like, I haven’t done anything bad,” Braydon said. “I hadn’t done anything. I was just sticking to myself and doing my school work.”To his relief, the instruc-tor informed Braydon that he had been selected as a school ambassador for the Tech Center auto collision program. Every year, students are picked from the center’s various programs to serve as school ambassadors. These students meet with teach-ers and provide tours of the facility to students and their families who are interested in attending the Tech Center.“Braydon is always willing to help others in a team envi-ronment,” said auto collision instructor Jarrod Herman. Braydon is in Herman’s after-noon class. Coupled with Braydon’s hard work and dedication, along with his skills in welding and metal straightening, he seemed like a good candidate to serve as the program’s ambassador, Herman said.Being selected was a sur-prise, Braydon said, noting that two years ago he was crashing through life, not thinking about the conse-quences of his actions and very little about his future.The Reality-check Light Comes OnBraydon started his school career at Kenowa Hills Public Schools but left after sixth grade and moved up north with his dad for about a year. The two came back to West Michigan when Braydon was in eighth grade. Due to the pandemic, and the fact that Braydon was considered homeless because he lived in a campground at the time, he attended online school. Online courses left Bray-don with some time on his hands and soon he fell into the wrong crowd and was getting into trouble, he said. His dad decided he needed to be in-person at school. So he attended Cedar Springs Pub-lic Schools and also landed a part-time job. But the bad influences followed Braydon and he got himself expelled, he said.While Braydon was able to finish his ninth-grade year online and went through counseling so he could return to Cedar Springs, he decided he needed a fresh start. An older sister had attended Comstock Park, so Braydon decided to check the district out by meeting with school officials and teachers. It was recommended that Braydon enter the school’s Flex Academy, an alternative program that offers online courses. The flexibility of online learning meant Bray-don would not have to make the half-hour drive to Com-stock Park every day. At the Flex Academy, which is housed in the high school, the mindset is that it’s a fresh start for every student walk-ing through its doors, said Cassie Bryant, a Flex Acade-my instructor along with Tim Olsen. Braydon was no differ-ent, Bryant said, adding that through conversations and watching him work, she and Olsen found him to be driven, polite and a genuinely caring person. Braydon holds himself to a high standard academically and in life while navigating home life, work and school, she said.“Braydon has done the work, decided for himself what he wants and is making decisions accordingly,” said Comstock Park High School Principal Kendra Faustin. “Sometimes a reset or a fresh start is what a student needs, but that isn’t a guarantee for change and growth. “We have seen a shift in Braydon’s vision of himself and for his future. That’s the work that matters for Bray-don and for (other) students.”A U-Turn Onto a Different DirectionBraydon also did some research on a future career.“I’m a big car guy,” he said. “I know a lot of money goes into (repairing) your car, just to have someone look at your car and tell you what’s wrong with it or if there’s something wrong with it. I would like to save that money and be able to keep it for myself. Not only that, but I can make money by working on other people’s cars. So I thought (a career in mechanics) would save me money and make me money, and then it’s something I enjoy doing.”He had heard of the Tech Center program through friends and had even tried getting in as a freshman, only to learn you have to be a junior or senior. Braydon made sure that by the end of his sophomore year he was signed up.“My initial plan was I would attend KCTC to learn body work and framework, and then come back next year to learn wiring or engine work (and) the other mechanics, because my plan is when I get older I’d like to be able to run my own shop,” Braydon said. “If I have a customer, I don’t want to have to tell them, ‘Oh, I only do oil changes or something here, you need to go down the road.’ I want you to come here and everything gets done here. … That’s how I want my shop to be.”On a recent day in the Tech Center’s auto collision area, Braydon was trying to set up two pieces of metal so he could practice welding.“OK. I can’t get this to work because you are watching me,” he said to a reporter with a laugh. He finally got it done and took a break to walk around the space, pointing out how he started the year repainting car panels. He said he believes that the mistakes of his past gave him a reality check and more awareness of how fragile life can be.“I’m just kind of surprised that I went from this careless, kind of selfish person who never really thought about consequences,” Braydon said, admitting that he tended to speed through life. “I’m a lot more self aware.”Braydon said he does not know what life will bring, so he was hesitant about predict-ing his future.“I think I could see myself working in a shop and hope-fully making my way up to owning my own,” he said. “I know, at least for sure, I have a job and hopefully my own place. I’d be financially sta-ble.”By Joanne Bailey-BoorsmaSchool News Networkwww.schoolnewsnetwork.orgJunior Braydon Kavanagh talks to Kent Career Tech Instructor Jarrod Herman.LET ME WORK FOR YOU….Contact Julie Lewis:Julie.lewis@hearst.com231.592.8373TOGETHER WE WILL GET RESULTSJunior Braydon Kavanagh said he is planning to become a mechanic and hopes to open his own auto repair shop.

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www.comstockparkdda.org Comstock Park Communicator April 1, 2024 | Page 17Our teamprovides totalyard care andlandscapingservices at greatprices.Full Lawn & Landscape Maintenance, Lawn Renovations &Installations,Custom Landscape Design & Construction,Landscape Supplies including; Bulk Mulch, Bulk Stone,Garden décor, Trees,Perennials and much more!Garden décor, Trees,Perennials and much more!NOW HIRING!300 S. State St. Sparta, MI 49345 • 616-887-3320Insured & bondedCall todayfor a freeconsultationand estimate!Students plan activities to make community a better placeIt was an interesting debate: fabric for the scarves, or not. “We’ve got Oreos for the eyes and buttons,” said fifth-grader Kyle Myers, with third-grader Liv Kirgan add-ing that they could use half Oreos for the mouth. “Carrots for the nose and paint sticks for the arms. We could use a piece of fabric for the scarf.“But then you have wet fabric,” said fourth-grader Braylon Donley. “I think we need something that just goes away when the snowmen melt instead of having to pick up a wet piece of fabric.”The threesome are part of Pine Island Elementary’s Leaders of Tomorrow, which came up with the school-wide January activity to create a “snowman city.” Every class would be asked to bring in the necessary supplies, then build a snowman on the play-ground. But due to the Janu-ary snowstorms, the Leaders had not had a chance to talk to classmates about bringing in supplies.“So remember, we were going to ask for time to talk to our classes so that in the next snowstorm we would be ready with our supplies to build the snowmen,” said third-grade teacher Kristen Keifer, the group’s team teacher leader.Tomorrow’s Leaders TodayIn its first year, students in the Pine Island Leaders of Tomorrow are selected by their teachers, with one stu-dent representing each of the 16 classrooms in the school. Working in groups of three, there’s a third-, fourth- and fifth-grader in each group to help encourage students to work across and get to know other grade levels. The group meets after school for an hour or so, about every two weeks. They plan activities, usually with a focus on how they can serve the community. They also have worked with school staff to help to relay informa-tion back to their classrooms, such as reminding classmates about free breakfast available before school.In November, they created fliers for and hosted a food drive for the Comstock Park Giving Closet, a nonprofit that helps families in Com-stock Park and families with children attending Comstock Park Public Schools.Students submit project suggestions or ideas through the Voice and Choice box. The Leaders group reviews the suggestions and discuss-es possible next steps such as talking to staff or seeing if another group is already working on that suggestion.Projects with HeartFor February, the leader-ship group decided to raise funds for the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital by host-ing a Valentine’s Day candy sale. Depending on costs, stu-dents decided to sell a mix of lollipops and Hershey’s Kisses over several days leading up to Valentine’s Day. As the discussion went, there were a few logistics the students discussed that Keifer said she had not thought of.Fifth-grader Aubrey Mos-son’s group decided school lunch periods were a good time to sell, and those who had recess could sell at the lunch period for other stu-dents. Third-grader Evelyn Hogg’s group raised the ques-tion of what to do with the candy if those who’d bought some were heading outside to recess, since food isn’t allowed on the playground.“How about if we have some envelopes or small bags the students could write their name on, and then they could put them in the classroom’s lunch bin?” Evelyn suggest-ed, adding that the bins were returned to classrooms after lunch.Envelopes, of which Keifer said she had extra, and mark-ers were added to the supply list.Braylon suggested heart-shaped paper be available for students to write notes to others they might want to give candy. Once the logistics have been settled, the group decid-ed at the next meeting they would prepare items for the sale and create posters for the event.“I am excited about this project,” Keifer told students as they wrapped up their meeting. “I am just so proud of the work you are doing.”By Joanne Bailey-BoorsmaSchool News Networkwww.schoolnewsnetwork.orgFifth-grader Kyle Myers, third-grader Liv Kirgan and fourth-grader Braylon Donley show their lists for the snowman village.Fourth-grader Olivia Bertoia collects notes from the Voices and Choices box.Some of the Leaders of Tomorrow discuss a Valentine’s Day candy sale to raise money for the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital.

Comstock Park April 2024

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