Baseball and soccer drawing to a close for the year

It is most definitely Autumn

And soccer-play-off fever

These are the teams that battled for the trophy today and again next Sunday

Next Sunday will be Trophy time

Today Jalisco beat Cora 1-0 so they have a point advantage

Women playing for chamionship too

Baseball will be done for the season today

Be back next year

A girl and her dog (and the dog was so cold)

Alpine Historical Museum Gets a Facelift

The Alpine Township Historical Museum at 2408 7 Mile Rd. NW  recently received a fresh coat of paint.  Below is a picture of the front door as it looked when the building was first converted to a museum.

Front door when converted to a museum

Front Door on September 2011

Looking great and ready to host October 16  Program

Sunday, Oct. 16th - "VOYAGEURS OF THE GREAT LAKES" by William Spence will be presented at the Museum, 2408 7-Mile RD. See how the colorful traders, trappers and sturdy men of the early Michigan wilderness lived and made a living. Very useful information for elementary students of local and Michigan history. Open house will be from 2-4pm, with refreshments.

Hints of Autumn

This scarecrow welcomes you at the Alpine Township Hall

Workers are picking apples at Alt Farm on 7 Mile Road NW

Harold Thome with Honey Crisps ready for transportation

Comstock Park Rotary Updated on Fifth Third Ball Park

Fifth Third Ball Park Vice President of Sales Steve McCarthy was the guest speaker at Thursday's meeting of the Comstock Park Rotary Club and updated the members with what was coming up at Fifth Third Ball Park, located at 4500 West River Road in Comstock Park.  He alerted toe members of the home opener on Monday, April 9th 2012, less than 7 months away.  He discussed how there are more special events held at the stadium each year than there are White Caps home games.  He also talked about the numerous fund raising opportunities that are available through both Fifth Third Ball Park as well as the White Caps.

In addition to some other business, president Dick Woodward was proud to be able to induct Jim Olsen, the Manager of the local Sam's Club into the organization.

Steve MCCarthy showing off the new state of the art video screen along with the old fashion scoreboard that will be installed

Steve McCarthy, (left) Vice Presidents of Sales for Fifth Third Ball Park with Rotary member Don Boersma

Sponsor Alex Arends presents new member Jim Olson with a Rotary pin.  Jim transferred from the Kentwood Club

Informational Meeting Held for Property Owners

About a dozen property owners showed up at the Alpine Township Hall Tuesday night to learn more about an upcoming public works project that could begin as early as next month.  Engineers from Prein & Newhof were on hand to give a brief progress report on the replacement of the main sewer trunk along Strawberry Creek.  Those in attendance had the opportunity to look at construction design on each individual property. A more up to date construction schedule for work on Strawberry Creek and York Creek this upcoming year is expected to be available by the end of October. 

Farmworker Fiesta - Fiesta de la Cosecha

Purdie the Clown was on hand for a third consecutive year

On Sunday the Kent District Library hosted its Third Farmworkers Fiesta at the Alpine Township Sports Complex located at Alpine Church Road and Baumhoff Ave. NW. The main purpose of the program is to entice Spanish reading youth and adults to take advantage of th many things the Kent District library offers them.  About 350 people were reached directly.  Kids were entertained by Katie the Elephant and Purdie the Clown.  There was free eye screening for kids provided by the Comstock Park Lions, and the Grand Rapids Public School's "My Choice" English Language Learner's Program had a booth also.

 

Katie the Elephant, KDL mascot, was on hand again as well

Community Policing Officer, Kent County Deputy Nate Ertle poses with Katie

Two good friends

This young man asked for his picture to be taken with Nate Ertle.  He was willing to pay for it

Purdie with Comstock Park Lions Mike and Barb Cote

Alpine Township KDL Library Branch Offers Science Fair.

The Kent District Library (KDL) in Alpine Township offered it's residents to participate in a science fair.  While the program was geared towards youth, parents and volunteer staff had just as much fun doing some of the offered experiments.

Making silly putty was definitely one of the most popular experiments

For a while it seemed like this young man had the whole place for himself, but he eas eventually joined by a number of other future scientists

Mixing colors

The adults had as much fun as the kids

Alpine Township Participates in National Passport Day

There is a travel version of that nightmare where you haven’t studied for a test, and there you are, preparing to take it. It’s when you're leaving on a trip abroad and suddenly realize you don’t have a passport.  About 25 people took advantage to avoid that real-life nightmare by stopping in at the Alpine Township Center Saturday to apply for a passport without having to make an appointment.  Alpine Township was  one of only two local communities to participate in National Passport Day.   Treasurer Jim Townsend's office was open from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. to help  ease  the process for those who can’t show up on a weekday.  Participating in this national program for the first time, this program can be called a great success.



Treasurer Jim Townsend (center) with two passport applicants Saturday

Alpine Township Firefighters Conduct Training Excercise

Alpine Township firefighters conducted a training excercise Saturday morning that could just as well have been a response to a live fire.  Property at  4343 Alpine Ave NW scheduled for demolition was deliberately burned as an excercise for firefighters.  First the detached garage was burned with no or very little damage to the house or the surrounding brush and trees..  Folllowing that, the actual house was burned to the ground.Following are some pictures.

First the garage.  It was fully enflamed in just minutes and created an incredible heat

Then it was the house itself.  An eery color came though the windows and door 

A little late now to see if it is the right street address