Race for the Cure

Nearly all of us are related to or know someone who is affected by cancer. Those employed at Alpine Township think of fellow employee Julie Bacheller whenever the conversation comes up. Julie was diagnosed with breast cancer about two years ago. After a lumpectomy, chemetherapy, radiation treatments and many drug treatments, Julie is now cancer free. Julie, her family and friends prayerfully hope the cancer will not return .

This past weekend Julie participated in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. It is the is the world's largest series of 5K run/ walks. Since its origination in Dallas in 1983, the Komen Race for the Cure® Series has grown from one local race with 800 participants to an international series of 117 races with more than 1.3 million participants. As part of this worldwide effort, Julie raised $215 in donations from her friends and fellow employees this month. Julie has been employed by Alpine Township for sixteen years and is currently the Residential Assessor. We are all very proud of her positive attitude and the efforts she contributes to the Township and the community.

Exclamation Point on Great Weekend

The soccer season stretches over 21 weeks

The playground still gets lots of activity

Opportunity to score

Rooting for their favorite team

The boys of summer finishing up the season soon

After the game, a family outing.

Everybody worked up an appetite

Weekend Wrap Up

Here are a few more photos of some of the activities that took place Saturday. While some of our Fire Department Officers were at the festivities at York Creek Apartments, and others were on stand by for Plainfield Township, Chief Ron Christian and Assistant Chief Mike Lasko were assisting in conducting fire safety classes for children living in York Woods. The Grand Valley Safe Kids Fire Safety House helped get the message of Fire Safety across to the kids who attended.

Do you have an escape plan for YOUR family?

Enjoying the comradery

These kids felt right at home with the fire chief, or should we say Grandpa?

Plainfield Township Manager Bob Homan checking out the Festivities in Comstock Park

Another picture of kids sliding/surfing on the banks of Dwight Lydell Park, and having a great time.

The Kent County Sheriff's Posse visited the festivities at the York Creek Tenant Appreciation Day.

York Creek Tenant Appeciation Day

York Creek Apartments celebrated it's second Tenant Appreciation Day Saturday, with lots of free food, fun, information and games. It was the second annual event.

The Alpine Township Fire Department andKent Conty Sheriff's Department were well represented

There was something for everyone, and the rain stayed away.

Lined up for the fun ride

A booth sponsored by one of the service providers

Prior to reporting to Tiger training camp next year, check out your pitching speed

Culver's provided free ice cream

Fazoli's was on hand with free delicious bread sticks. Mafia Mike was alo on hand, as were other vendors.

Operations Sergeant Bryan Elenbaas, with Absolute Security & Protective Services with York Creek Property Manager Kim Root and Assistant Property Manager Elizabeth Kraley

Troy Zapolski (right) with Land & Co., talking with Account Executive Dustin Wood, Citadel Broadcasting Company (left), and disc jockey Gravy (center) from 105.3 HOT FM. Gravy has been a tenant at York Creek for several years.

Comstock Days

Even with Downtown Comstock Park being located in Plainfield Township, most of us consider ourselves being part of Comstock Park. A celebration took place in Downtown Comstock Park today. Advertised as Peace, Love, Music and Freestyle Motocross. it featured freestyle Motocross with X-Games Gold Medalist, Kevin Johnson. Live Bands, Food and a Beer Tent. The reason for the event? It was in celebration of the 12 year old web development and marketing firm Spearia moving their offices into the renovated old Comstock Park Foods store at 3934 West River Road. While most of the festivities were held downtown and at Dwight Lydell Park, the freestyle Motocross events took place at Fifth Third Ball Park.

The Cake in celebration of the event was designed by Sweet Cakes Design L.L.C
Plenty of inflatables for the little kids to play on, and for those who dared, the surf was high at Dwight Lydell Park

There was lots of food and fun for everyone

The band Concussions provided great music in the afternoon, and there were other bands throughout the rest of the day and evening.

Surfing at Dwight Lydell Park.

Harvest on the Ridge

You did not have to travel to Downtown Grand Rapids to get a good taste of community spirit. Nor did you have to travel to the Deltaplex in Walker for the Country Rib Jam to get a taste of some great music or ribs; there was celebration everywhere including the Sparta Harvest on the Ridge Apple Festival. Activities began Friday, and Saturday there was a Barbeque Cook Off that was second to none. Numerous Alpine Township residents or employees participated in the festivities in celebration of the harvest. There was Art in the Park, Visits to Orchards, and lots more judging, including of course the best Apple Pie.

Eager to accept your tickets or money for the Sparta fire department's fund raiser breakfast




Sparta Assistant Chief and Chief Jerold Bolen



Kent City Fire Chief Mike Rexford and Sparta Village President Leonard "Skip" Meyer


Some beautiful mosaic on display and for purchase

These Alpine Township Residents entered the Barbeque Cook Off. ! Next week, the Squirels 2 Barbeque team will be entering the competition in Kansas City MO.

Honey Crisp Apples, picked yesterday at Morse Orchards in Alpine Township.

Lazy Susans, Patio and Oil Candles from local crafts enthusiast Mindy Yates.

The Guinness Brothers Band was on hand for great entertainment.

Harvest on the Ridge

Dana Quick has a passion for farming, although she has never farmed, so says an Article in the Grand Rapids Press Wednesday. "You meet these older farmers who've done it all their lives and you fall in love with them," said Quick, a financial planner for Edward Jones, whose office is located in Alpine Township.
The Sparta resident said she wants the community to understand not only the feel-good side of watching a blossom turn into fruit, but the business side of farms that pour millions of dollars into a local economy. Click here to link to the story in the Grand Rapids Press.

Noise Ordinance

On Monday, September 21, 2009, the Alpine Township Board of Trustees passed an ordinance to prohibit unlawful noise and to provide penalties for violation of the ordinance. The ordinance will take effect four weeks after publication. A copy of it is available here.

Englishville School Reunion

Below are some more pictures of the Englishville School Reunion held Sunday at the Alpine Township Historical Museum. Please feel free to download pictures if you like, or if you like a print, leave your name and telephone number at the Township Office at 616-784-1262 and let us know which picture you are interested in, we will make it available to you.

Click on photo to enlarge

CLASSMATES

Classmates Liz Christensen and Bob Benefiel.

Classmates Betty Courtade, Bud Kellogg, Evelyn May and Emery Andrus

Classmates Jackie Lambright and George Erhart

Classmates: Gene Lambson, Carol Vanderlunt and Phyllis Wier.

Another Perfect Day

OK, just another perfect day to be lazy and enjoy the weather

KDL Fiesta

The Kent District Library organized and hosted a Fiesta at the Alpine Township Hall today. There was lots of activity including great food, mascots, a clown, coupons, games, pinatas, live Mariachi music and much more. There were at least twenty sponsors. and lots of helpers and volunteers on hand.

Well over a hundred guests attended to learn more about the library

Members of the Kent County Sheriffs Department and the Alpine Township Fire Department were on hand to share in the festivities.

Katie the Elephant meets the Polo Loco

Katie the KDL Mascot

There was trememdous interest in the operation of fire vehicles

Great food donated ny many Alpine Township vendors

Representatives of the 2010 Census were on hand

The sheriff was on hand to keep polo loco from escaping

They took the keys out of the ignition

All the kids had a chance to whack the pinatas

Purdy the Clown thrilled all who attended

There was also networking

Another expert about to break open the pinata

Enjoying the festivities

Facepainting was a hit

Even the organizers had fun