Saturday, November 28, 2009

Comstock Park Educational Foundation

The Comstock Park Educational Foundation held its first Annual Holiday Tree Silent Auction and Spaghetti Dinner at Comstock Park High School. Twenty nine trees were on display for bids. The Alpine Township entry, "Apple of My Eye" was purchased with a bid of $65.00. The most popular tree "Patriotic" was contributed by Story Community Church. Runners up for most popular were the "Go Panthers" entry by the Comstock Park School District, and "Nature's Christmas" contributed by Alpine Floral.

""Go Panthers", Comstock Park School System

"Nature's Christmas", by Alpine Floral

Kent County Sheriffs Dept's "911 Police & Rescue" was one of the biggest money raisers.

Comstock Park Rotary's "Tool Time Tree" entry

All in all there were 29 entries that helped raise funds for the CP Educational Foundation
A number of trees raised over a hundred dollars.

Oh by the way, the Spaghetti Dinner was delicious. There was also student art on display.

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving

Proclamation of Thanksgiving by the United States President

"The year that is drawing toward its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful years and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the Source from which they come, others have been added which are of so extraordinary a nature that they can not fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever-watchful providence of Almighty God.
In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign states to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere, except in the theater of military conflict, while that theater has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union.
Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the field of peaceful industry to the national defense have not arrested the plow, the shuttle, or the ship; the ax has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than theretofore. Population has steadily increased notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege, and the battlefield, and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.
No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.
It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans.
, mourners, or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it, as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes, to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility, and union.
In testimony wherof I have herunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed."

Signed: A. Lincoln


The staff and elected officials of Alpine Township wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.

Friday, November 20, 2009

Alpine Hosts KDL Library Board

On Thursday Laura Weld, Manager of the Alpine Township Library, hosted the monthly meeting of the Board of Directors of the Kent District Library. The meeting was conducted in the Township Hall.

There were quite a few staff members on hand from neighboring libraries.
Laura Weld, Alpine Township Library Branch Manager talking about one of the many projects conducted at the Alpine Township Branch this past summer.
Martha Smart, KDL Executive Director, (right) presents a check for $1,500 to Lynette Gasper
Lynette Gasper of Rockford received a check for $1,500 as winner of the State wide summer contest "Get Creative@Saving for College. The program was sponsored by the Library of Michigan Foundation, the Michigan Education Savings Program, and the Michigan Education Trust, to draw awareness to the importance of saving for college. The Krause Memorial Library in Rockford will also receive $1,000, thanks to Lynette winning the contest. She was one of five winners state wide,

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Comstock Park Educational Foundation

The Comstock Park Educational Foundation is sponsoring a fundraiser. Local businesses and organizations are asked to decorate a three foot Christmas Tree, which will be sold off at a Silent Auction on Saturday November 28 at the High School at a Spaghetti Dinner scheduled from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM.
Shown below is Alpine Township's contribution to the auction. Township employees all contributed a little bit towards the decoration. Hopefully this will be the award winning tree. Please make sure you attend the spaghetti dinner and make an offer on this wonderful tree, which has an apple theme. It has real apples in the basket, and gift certificates to Applebee's as well.
The Comstock Park Educational Foundation was created to enhance the high education goals of the Comstock Park Public School District.Comstock Park has always boasted excellence in education. Their school system has traditionally been one of the very best. Comstock Park has a history of supporting strong public schools.The Comstock Park Educational Foundation is the outlet for private giving to the Comstock Park Public Schools where 100% of funds raised by the Foundation stay in Comstock Park.


Fire Chief Ron Christians hanging an Alpine Township fireman's helmet on the tree

Julie Bacheller, Alpine Township Residential Appraiser, working her magic

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Meet Deputy Clerk Erin Randall

On Monday November 16, the Alpine Township Board of Trustees welcomed Erin Randall to the Alpine Township staff. Erin was selected to fill the vacant Deputy Clerk position. Erin comes to us via Lansing, where she was interning at the Michigan House of Representatives. Erin has a Bachelor of Science degree from Ferris State College, in Business Administration. We are very excited that Erin chose Alpine Township as her new employer and congratulate her on her new position.


Erin being sworn in as deputy clerk of Alpine Township on Monday 11/16/2009




Lunch with the Fire Chief

The Alpine Township Fire Department recently sponsored a coloring contest at each of our four local area elementary schools, and following are some of the winners. They were choosen from several hundred entries. This is an annual event. Winners got to enjoy lunch at Culvers with chief Ron Christians and Assistant Chief Mike Lasko.

Winner from Holy Trinity

Winner from Alpine Elementary


Winners from Stony Creek (on left) and Greenridge (on right)

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Veteran's Day



Since our forefathers founded this country, America’s military has battled to keep it—to keep us—safe. To honor every veteran who has fought for freedom, Veterans Day became an officially recognized day of remembrance in 1954. On Veterans Day, we remember the fallen and pay tribute to those heroes who still fight. Please pause today to pay your respects to every service member who has ever honorably worn the uniform. Join with the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and thousands of other patriotic Americans this Veterans Day in pledging your support of the men and women of our valiant military.

I pledge to:

Reflect upon the sacrifice of America’s warriors. I will observe a moment of silence on Veterans Day with my family and encourage my friends and co-workers to do the same.

Spread the word about the real meaning of Veterans Day. Because it’s not just a “day off work.” It’s a time to remember our American freedoms come at a cost.

Show my American Pride. I will fly the United States flag and stand reverently during the Pledge of Allegiance. This show of respect shows our veterans they are not forgotten. I pledge to remember America’s veterans in word and deed. I pledge to honor and respect the United States flag and the men and women who fight, and have fought, to protect our country.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Alpine Township is Apple Country

Business is booming in the apple industry right now. Alpine Township saw a number of apple growers and packers expand their operation this year, most notably Jack Brown Produce on Fruitridge Ave, and the Apple Haus on Ventura Drive, pictured below.

This double trailered truck is heading for Montreal, Canada with locally grown apples


Working on Quality Control

Surrounded by apple crates

Taking a quick moment on a busy afternoonto pose for the camera.

SONIC COMING TO ALPINE TOWNSHIP

Monday, November 16, 2009 is the much anticipated opening day of the Sonic Drive-In Restaurant in Alpine Township. The restaurant is located on the corner of Henze Drive and Alpine Ave. No major traffic problems are anticipated as customers in their automobiles will be lined up in a "holding pattern" on the Walmart parking lot until a drive in spot opens up.
Employees are well prepared for service, many of them transfering from or having been trained at the Wyoming, Michigan restaurant.

Oh do you remember the old drive in restaurants? They are still ever so popular.

The drive through on the left, the drive-in on the right.
A well designed building, and covered picnic tables for those who prefer to sit outside rather than in their car.


Putting a few finishing touches on the building.


SONIC, which specializes in made-to-order fast food, is known for its specialty menu items and personal Carhop service. Unique drink combinations make SONIC Your Ultimate Drink Stop!® SONIC’s slow-melting ice, helps drinks stay cool and keeps them cooled longer while maintaining flavor. SONIC’s full menu is available all day, giving guests the option of eating breakfast for dinner or ordering a SONIC Blast in the morning. Favorites include TOASTER® Sandwiches (sandwiches served on thick Texas Toast), Extra-Long Cheese Coneys (hot dogs with chili and cheese), fresh-made Onion Rings, Tater Tots and a variety of Frozen Favorites® treats and Fountain Favorites® drinks. SONIC’s ever-growing menu is full of options to satisfy every taste, such as Fresh Fruit Smoothies.

Welcome to Alpine Township!

Monday, November 9, 2009

A Soldier Died Today

In recognition of Veteran's Day. Please honor U.S. Veterans Wednesday, November 11, 2009




JUST A COMMON SOLDIER
by A. Lawrence Vaincourt

He was getting old and paunchy and his hair was falling fast,
And he sat around the Legion, telling stories of the past,
Of a war that he had fought in and the deeds that he had done,
In his exploits with his buddies; they were heroes, every one.

And tho' sometimes, to his neighbors, his tales became a joke,
All his Legion buddies listened, for they knew whereof he spoke.
But we'll hear his tales no longer for old Bill has passed away,
And the world's a little poorer, for a soldier died today.

He will not be mourned by many, just his children and his wife,
For he lived an ordinary and quite uneventful life.
Held a job and raised a family, quietly going his own way,
And the world won't note his passing, though a soldier died today.

When politicians leave this earth, their bodies lie in state,
While thousands note their passing and proclaim that they were great.
Papers tell their whole life stories, from the time that they were young,
But the passing of a soldier goes unnoticed and unsung

Is the greatest contribution to the welfare of our land
A guy who breaks his promises and cons his fellow man?
Or the ordinary fellow who, in times of war and strife,
Goes off to serve his Country and offers up his life?

A politician's stipend and the style in which he lives
Are sometimes disproportionate to the service that he gives.
While the ordinary soldier, who offered up his all,
Is paid off with a medal and perhaps, a pension small.

It's so easy to forget them for it was so long ago
That the old Bills of our Country went to battle, but we know
It was not the politicians, with their compromise and ploys,
Who won for us the freedom that our Country now enjoys.

Should you find yourself in danger, with your enemies at hand,
Would you want a politician with his ever-shifting stand?
Or would you prefer a soldier, who has sworn to defend
His home, his kin and Country and would fight until the end?

He was just a common soldier and his ranks are growing thin,
But his presence should remind us we may need his like again.
For when countries are in conflict, then we find the soldier's part
Is to clean up all the troubles that the politicians start.

If we cannot do him honor while he's here to hear the praise,
Then at least let's give him homage at the ending of his days.
Perhaps just a simple headline in a paper that would say,
Our Country is in mourning, for a soldier died today.

© 1985 A. Lawrence Vaincourt

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Kent County Road Commission

At a special dinner meeting tonight, the Kent County Road Commission revealed its 2010 Operating Budget and outlined projects scheduled for the coming year. One of the planned projects is the resurfacing of 6 Mile Road from Alpine Ave (M-37) to Pine Island Drive. The goal is to mill portions and crush and shape portions of existing asphalt surface and to resurface with HMA pavement, It also includes the upgrading of guardrail and sidewalk ramps to current standards. This project should be funded with stimulus funds.

Other projects in Alpine Township planned for 2010 include proposed seal coating on Fruitridge from 4 Mile Road to 6 Mile Road, and Walker Ave between 4 Mile Road and 5 Mile Road.
Alpine TownshipTrustees Ron Cordes, Jim May and Ted Wallace attended the meeting along with Clerk Jean Wahlfield and Supervisor Alex Arends.

Road Commission employees Bill Byrne and Kris Gall (an Alpine Township resident) taunting the photographer

Alpine Township Trustees Ted Wallace and Jim May enjoying the presentation

Alpine Township Trustee Ron Cordes and Township Clerk Jean Wahlfield