Merry Christmas

Santa Girls Get Help in Alpine Township

Most of us have heard about the Santa Girls and how this year they delivered gifts to over 14,000 area children of nearly 6,000 families. To accomplish that in half a day takes a trememdous amount of dedication and organizational skill. Alpine Township had it's own group of volunteers again this year. The Comstock Park Rotary has been taking this on as a project that this year was chaired by Nancy Mulder, Manager of the Comstock Park Library. Plenty of volunteers were on hand to make this a successful project.

Nancy Mulder, Manager of the Comstock Park Library, and husband Steve assigning the last few bags of presents for distribution to Alpine Township kids.

Just two of the many Santa Girls helpers, Rotarians Phil Obetts (l) and Doug Gordon, both long time Comstock Park residents.

Santa Back in Town

Last night, Santa was spotted at Applebee's on Alpine Ave in Alpine Township. He was greeting both young and old and assuring most that they had been good this past year. (A great relief for some). Visitors left with candy canes and coupons.

Santa in the lobby at Applebee's

One of the many decorated homes throughout Alpine Township

A cheerful moment at the Comstock Park Rotary holiday luncheon held at the Swan Inn.

Tuesday Morning at Alpine Township

Nadeem Hamid, with Oceana-Omega Systems, preparing a presentation for Township staff on Alpine Township's new website that should be published before Christmas.

Congratulations Residential Appraiser and newlywed Julie (was Bacheller) Bulerski. Looking on is Deputy Clerk Erin Randall

Alpine Township Assessor, Betty Keeling (left) , with Board of Review members from left to right Jim Momber, Mary Wilcome and Chuck Jakems.

Christmas Spirit

Some of the Christmas decorations that are found in the Alpine Township residential communities. Click on pictures to enlarge.






and at a nearby orchard.......


.....Apples, desperately clinging on to their branches, willing to serve as holiday decorations.

Comstock Park Lions Celebrate New Charter

The Comstock Park Lions Club celebrated it's charter festivities today as the newest Lions Club in the area at the American Legion Post 47 in Comstock Park. President of the newly formed chapter is Dan LaRocque, Treasurer and Vice President is Mike Vanden Bos, and Secretary is Barb Cote. Newly elected board members are Kim Root, Diane Dellinger, Rene Rhoades, Alex Arends, Laura Weld, Terri Vanden Bos and Mike Cote. Joining in the festivities were members from many chapters including North Muskegon, Fruitport, Marne, Grand Rapids, Walker, Muir and from the sponsoring chapter Rockford. Also on hand were state and international dignitaries.

Dan LaRocque, (left) receives official Banner, from Alpine Township resident Larry Staettler and Rockford Past President Jan Strauss

The Lions boast over a million three hundred members in 205 countries. Lions are active. Their motto is "We Serve." Lions are part of a global service network, doing whatever is necessary to help our local communities. They will be a real asset to the Alpine and Plainfield Township Communities.

The strength of a community can often be measured by the number of active service organizations. Alpine Township can now boast two active organizations, the Comstock Park Rotary, and now the Comstock Park Lions.

Some of the Guests who joined this happy occasion

Some of the state and international dignitaries on hand

Barb Cote and Terri Vanden Bos ready to slice up a masterpiece

Santa Spotted in Alpine Township

Santa was surprised that he was spotted on Stony Creek NW today and was nice enough to pose for a picture while his reindeer were having lunch at the new Sonic Drive In on Alpine Ave.

You better watch out, you better not cry.

He's here already, I'm telling you why.

Alpine Township Leadership Breakfast

This morning, Alpine Township hosted the second annual Leadership Breakfast. Representatives from schools, churches, service organizations, the agricultural, business and residential communities met with Township Officials and enjoyed a special program presented by Greg Northrup, President of the West Michigan Regional Alliance, an organization whose mission is to serve as a catalyst for regional collaboration. In addition to local representation, the event was attended by County Commissioner Tom Antor, Under-sheriff Jon Hess and State Senator Mark Jansen.

Greg Northrup, President of Regional Alliance (in yellow sweater) moderating discussion















Attendees at each table had the opportunity to discuss strengths and weaknesses of their local community














After some discussion, it was the general consensus that the strength of Alpine Township is its diversity and its people. Issues attendees like to see addressed are the traffic on Alpine Ave. and more sidewalks. Attendees also indicated they would like to meet more frequently than once a year to colaborate on these and other community issues.

Ambushed

Winter came upon us with a vengeance Friday but the result was a beautiful white cover for everything that was standing, and a reminder that Christmas will soon be here. And after Christmas, the days will begin being longer again and Spring will be on the horizon.

Alpine Township Employees and a guest from the Kent County Road Commission breaking bread and eating soup together.














Four fantastic soups, great salads and breads had all employees escape from suffering post turkey syndrome.


















Volunteers moving some some historical items from a private barn into the Old Fire Station #3.

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.

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.

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,

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

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)

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.

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.