Applebee's and NKF of Michgan

On Wednesday, February 10, 2010, the Alpine Township Applebee's will donate 15% of your bill to the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan. If you are looking for a meal that will fill you and that is fulfilling at the same time, reserve Wednesday February 10 on your calendar. The mission of the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan is to prevent kidney disease and improve the quality of life for those living with it.

Since 1955, the NKF of Michigan, Inc. (NKFM) has led the fight against these life-threatening diseases. They have enhanced the lives of many Michigan residents through their patient services, research and education programs. Their efforts have also changed legislation, ensured quality care for patients and advanced medical knowledge. They have informed the public about kidney and urological diseases and increased awareness of the critical need for organ and tissue donations.

Monday Monday

The Alpine Township Employees shut down the office for two hours today in order to celebrate a "Post Holiday Employee Appreciation Lunch". The event took place at the Alpine Township Fire Station #3. Everyone enjoyed the food and the fellowship. On hand to celebrate with the employees were Alpine Township Trustees Ron Cordes, Jim May, Bill Schweitzer and Ted Wallace, and Historical Commission Charirwoman Ruth Post.

Good food and great company


Jim Townsend demonstrating his kitchen skills

The Zoning Board of Appeals met this Monday. special guest was Alpine Township Attorney Jeff Sluggett (Law Weathers) who gave the Board Members a view of the Zoning Board of Appeals, and drew pictures of 30,000 feet up right to ground level. The training was very helpful,

Jeff Sluggett makes a point, and is observed by Nelda Johnson who represents the Planning Commission on the Alpine Zoning Board of Appeals.

Township Planner and Zoning Administrator Sue Thomas. (left) Township Clerk Jean Wahlfield, and Zoning Board of Appeals members Jason Rosenzweig and Doug Pointer.

Alpine Township Trustees Ted Wallace (l), Jim May, and Ron Cordes were in attendance as well as Bill Schweitzer (not shown)

Preserving Old Documents

Don Doyle, an officer of the Alpine Twp. Historical Commission, built a frame, as instructed by the producers of the television program Dirty Jobs, in order to stretch a very old graduation diploma that was printed on sheep skin. He placed a moist towel on it for 15 minutes and the skin relaxed, but stayed straight in the frame. Members were excited to see the improvement of the document. After it dries, they will have it framed for exhibit

Don Doyle, a very active member of the Alpine Township Historical Society

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On Sunday, Jan. 17th, Alpine Township Historical Commission's open house started early with members left to right: Judy McNally, Patricia Cederholm and Don Doyle examining the diploma that had almost dried.

Kent County Municipal Clerks Meet

The Kent County Clerks Association conducted their January meeting at the Alpine Township Center. Clerks from various Kent County municipalities gathered together to learn, share, discuss upcoming election procedures etc.

Clerks fromKent County townships, towns, cities were in attendance

From left to right, Association Treasurer Scott Harvey, Plainfield Twp; President Jean Wahlfield, Alpine Twp; Secretary Sarah Bydalek, Walker, and Kent County Elections Director Susan deSteiguer.

Comstock Park Rotary Celebrates its 58th Birthday

It was approximately 58 years ago that Comstock Park Rotary was chartered. 92 year old charter member Martin Buth was on hand at the weekly Rotary meeting to help celebrate the event and he shared some interesting history with the members in attendance. One interesting note is that Congressman Gerald R Ford attended several of the meetings of the Comstock Park Chapter. The chapter raised its first funds through the sale of fruitcakes.

Martin Buth reminiscing about the old days

Former Alpine Township Supervisor, Clerk, and Trustee Sharon Steffens was on hand at the Thursday Rotary meeting. Sharon will soon be celebrating her 50th wedding anniversary with husband John Steffens.

Not to be outdone by the Rotary, the Comstock Park Lions met Tuesday night. Seen are guest speakers Stanley Hone (left) and John Phipps who made a presentation on the Sightseers Radio Network, whose motto is "Changing Print to Voice" . It is a program created for people who are blind, visually impaired or physically unable to hold or read print material.

Martin Luther King Day

PRESIDENTIAL PROCLAMATION

The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., challenged our Nation to recognize that our individual liberty relies upon our common equality. In communities marred by division and injustice, the movement he built from the ground up forced open doors to negotiation. The strength of his leadership was matched only by the power of his words, which still call on us to perfect those sacred ideals enshrined in our founding documents.

"We have an opportunity to make America a better Nation," Dr. King said on the eve of his death. "I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight that we, as a people, will get to the promised land." Though we have made great strides since the turbulent era of Dr. King's movement, his work and our journey remain unfinished. Only when our children are free to pursue their full measure of success -- unhindered by the color of their skin, their gender, the faith in their heart, the people they love, or the fortune of their birth -- will we have reached our destination.

Today, we are closer to fulfilling America's promise of economic and social justice because we stand on the shoulders of giants like Dr. King, yet our future progress will depend on how we prepare our next generation of leaders. We must fortify their ladders of opportunity by correcting social injustice, breaking the cycle of poverty in struggling communities, and reinvesting in our schools. Education can unlock a child's potential and remains our strongest weapon against injustice and inequality.

Recognizing that our Nation has yet to reach Dr. King's promised land is not an admission of defeat, but a call to action. In these challenging times, too many Americans face limited opportunities, but our capacity to support each other remains limitless. Today, let us ask ourselves what Dr. King believed to be life's most urgent and persistent question: "What are you doing for others?" Visit www.MLKDay.gov to find Martin Luther King, Jr., Day of Service projects across our country.

Dr. King devoted his life to serving others, and his message transcends national borders. The devastating earthquake in Haiti, and the urgent need for humanitarian support, reminds us that our service and generosity of spirit must also extend beyond our immediate communities. As our Government continues to bring our resources to bear on the international emergency in Haiti, I ask all Americans who want to contribute to this effort to visit www.WhiteHouse.gov/HaitiEarthquake.

By lifting up our brothers and sisters through dedication and service -- both at home and around the world -- we honor Dr. King's memory and reaffirm our common humanity.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 18, 2010, as the Martin Luther King, Jr., Federal Holiday. I encourage all Americans to observe this day with appropriate civic, community, and service programs in honor of Dr. King's life and lasting legacy.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.

BARACK OBAMA

Jam at Fricano's Pizza

Bluegrass lovers were invited to bring their own instruments and jam, or just listen as the West Michigan Bluegrass Music Association sponsored a free jam session following their boardmeeting hosted by Fricano's Pizza, 5808 Alpine Ave NW in Alpine Township.

By 6:30 pm Fricanos was jam packed.

The band "Blue County Line" kicked off the event and entertained the crowd

Serious business

People came from all over West Michigan to listen to the music or just for the famous Fricano's Pizza. An encore is planned for February 20, with the house band Rogue River Grass kicking off the evening.

Kenowa Hills Public Schools Saves Money and Increases Communication

Kenowa Hills Public Schools recently reallocated funds to increase communication. The Honeywell Instant Alert® for Schools was introduced to Kenowa Hills families today. Within minutes of an emergency, school officials can use Instant Alert® to deliver a single clear message to the students’ parents or guardians by telephone, cell phone, e-mail, pager or PDA in any combination.
The district decreased the amount of dollars spent on the district newsletter by reducing the number of printed issues. The savings was then used to purchase the instant alert system. The cost of the system was also set at a reduced rate due to a partnership with Kent ISD. Total cost to the district equates to $1.67 per student.

More information on how to use the instant alert system can be found at www.khps.org.

MSU Extention Meeting

With Alpine Township being ideally located in the six county district of the Michigan State Extension Service, it gets increasing demands for hosting area meetings. Last week a couple of MSU professors met at the Alpine Township Hall with dairy nutritionalists who serve local farmers.

Senior District Dairy Educator G. William Robb preparing coffee for the meeting

High Speed Chase?

Several rumors have been circulating regarding unusual activities at Walmart a few Sundays before Christmas last year. One of the rumors is that the Kent County Sheriff's Department got involved in a high speed chase that ended up on the Walmart parking lot. Witnesses reported seeing as many as 30 Sheriff's patrol cars there. Other witnesses reported that sheriff deputies were actually chasing a low flying vehicle and caught up with it as it landed on Walmart's parking lot.

Much commotion at the Alpine Township Walmart on Sunday morning, December 13

After further investigation it was determined that all of this was part of the "Shop with the Sheriff" program that was sponsored by the Kent County Sheriff's Department who took nearly 60 kids to Walmart that morning and gave them the opportunity to purchase Christmas gifts for family members. This year, Kent County Sheriff's Department personnel raised $13,000 in cash for this program, which is in part co-sponsored by the Alpine Township Walmart.

Deputies Lude (left) and Marcella (right) with new found friends

Lt. Kelley (right) with Santa and friends

Sgt Kok (right) with Santa and friends

Pastor Richard Gordon

Pastor Richard Gordon, the first full time pastor at Maranatha Bible Church at 4426 Stoney Creek in Alpine Township passed away on New Year's Day at the age of 85. His full obituary can be found in the Grand Rapids Press.

Pastor Gordon had the special spiritual gift for shepherding, presenting the gospel of Jesus Christ, and caring for people, especially the young people

In 1968 he established Maranatha Day Camp. Through this ministry, Pastor Gordon touched the lives of thousands of local community youth from many denominations as well as the unchurched. He is survived by his loving wife, the former JoAnn VanWingerden whom he married nearly 63 years ago. Several of his children still live in the Comstock Park area. The Celebration of Pastor Gordon's faith life and physical life will be Saturday at 1:00 p.m. at the Sanctuary of Calvary Church, 707 E. Beltline, Grand Rapids, with Pastor Lee Buer and Pastor Todd Dykstra officiating. Military honors will be under the auspices of the U.S. Navy with interment in Nunica Cemetery. Relatives and friends may gather at Maranatha Bible Church, 4426 Stoney Creek, Comstock Park, on Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider Maranatha Day Camp, 4426 Stoney Creek, Comstock Park. Pederson Funeral Home, Rockford www.pedersonfuneralhome.com

We thank and remember Pastor Gordon for the positive way he touched the lives of many in our community. Pastor Gordon was a Navy Veteran and had been scheduled to be conduct the Alpine Township Memorial Day Service in May of this year