Super Heroes Convene at Alpine Township Library

It was like a Super Hero Convention at the Alpine Township KDL Library this Tuesday.  Old super heroes came alive and new ones were created as the morning progressed.  It was all part of the library's summer reading program, enjoyed by many.

Favorite Superhero?  Dad, of course!  Mom was second.

Paint on the capes for new super heroes doesn't magically dry

 

Another future super hero

 

Thor spoke with authority in a thunderous voice

Captain America was heroic, and dad creative drawing a comic strip

Joe Kawano etching away to a happy ending

Mom2Mom Sale to Benefit Comstock Park Instrumental Music Program

Via Sandra Wert and Debbie Benjamin
Did you hear? Mom2Mom sale coming to Comstock Park High School on Saturday, May 5 during the Spring Carnival. The time is 9 am until 3pm with sale check-in and set-up from 7am to 9am. Sale will be held in the Comstock Park High School Gymnasium.

Mom2Mom sales are a large indoor sale where moms (or dads) can rent tables to sell gently used children's clothing (sizes up to 16), toys and other children and baby items.
Each space rents for $20 (additional tables $10 each). Space size is 8' x 10'. That includes an 8' table, 2 chairs, no electric. Big item area will be available. Strollers are permitted.

This event is sponsored by the Comstock Park Band Boosters. All proceeds will benefit the Comstock Park Instrumental Music Program, grades 6-12.

Please contact Debbie at 616/784-0026 or benjdt@sbcglobal.net for more information.

Play Ball!

Monday evening marked the return of the Grand Rapids Area Baseball League to the Alpine Township Sports Complex.  The cool weather and high winds did not seem to bother the players. 

Fútbol (Soccer) is Back

The liga de fútbol de los inmigrantes   is back for another season at the Alpine Township Sports Complex on Alpine Church Road and Baumhoff.  They will be featuring soccer teams for men, women and youth and are are still recruiting teams or players regardless of nationality or skill level.  Games are scheduled for Sundays.

Check out the league's facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Liga-De-Futbol-De-Inmigrantes-De-Michigan/358990174152741

Alpine Township Supervisor Alex Arends (center) with Executive Board of the "Liga de fútbol de los inmigrantes de Michigan"

For some it did not take long to warm up despite cool temperature and winds

Players with all kinds of skill levels are invited

Youth baseball season begins today with games and teams being organized by the Grand Rapids Area Baseball League (GRABL)

Betty Blase, District Coordinator for Michigan State University Extension Addresses Comstock Park Rotary

Betty Blase, District Coordinator for Michigan State University Extension was the speaker at this week's meeting of the Comstock Park Rotary. She talked about the organizational changes that have occurred over the past few years.

From their website:

Michigan State University (MSU) Extension helps people improve their lives by bringing the vast knowledge resources of MSUdirectly to individuals, communities and businesses. For more than 100 years, MSU Extension has helped grow Michigan’s economy by equipping Michigan residents with the information that they need to do their jobs better, raise healthy and safe families, build their communities and empower our children to dream of a successful future.

What they do

With a presence in every Michigan county, Extension faculty and staff members provide tools to live and work better. From a personal meeting to information online, MSU Extension educators work every day to provide the most current information when people need it to ensure success – in the workplace, at home and in the community.

Whether it’s helping grow Michigan’s agriculture economy, capturing opportunities that use our natural resources in a sustainable way, controlling health care costs by giving individuals the information they need to manage chronic illness or preparing tomorrow’s leaders, MSUExtension is creating opportunities and building communities that make Michigan strong, prosperous and a great place to live.

Berry Blase, District Coordinator, MSU Extension

Also at the meeting, two community members were recognized for their continued service to their community, particularly for painting they have completed at Grotto Park at the Michigan Veteran's Facility in Grand Rapids. Grotto Park restoration continues to be a major project of the Comstock Park Rotary.

Recognized were John Vaness and Roy Darling. They were the guest of Rotarian Phil Obetz

John Vaness, (left) Roy Darling and Phil Obetz

Grotto Park. Michigan Veteran's Facility, Grand Rapids

The Comstock Park Rotary meets in the banquet room at the Swan Inn on Alpine Ave. every Thursday at 12:10 AM.

Benefit for Brave Young Tyler Kremer

Tyler Kremer, age seven and a 2nd grader at Holy Trinity School has Leukemia and will be having a bone morrow transplant in the near future. Donations are being sought for his benefit on Saturday, May 19th from 6-10 p.m. at Holy Trinity's Family Center 1200 Alpine Church Road in Comstock Park.   

The evening will include a free-will donation which includes a taco bar, Silent Auction, Mini Raffle, Kid's Carnival, 50/50 and  Concession stand food for sale.  Auction items and donations would be greatly appreciated to help Tyler and his family.  Tyler is the son and Jim and Chris Kremer, grandson of the late John and Kathy Sawicki, long time friends to many. Jim has served the Alpine Township community for many years, currently as Captain of the Alpine Township Fire Department.  Chris too has been active all her adult life in school and community events.  Your generosity will be advertised the night of the benefit in a Powerpoint presentation and will display during the entire event.

 Please call Dan or Christy Nowak at 616-784-1309 with any questions.  Also Deb Wysocki at 616-784-7309 or Judi Mason at 616-784-5597. 

Everything Silly

It was storytime at Alpine Township Library and the program was all about being silly.  From wearing silly disguises and making funny faces, even adults wanted to get in on the action.  This week's theme featured  Audrey Woods book featuring Silly Sally, who went to town walking backwards upside down.

Third Annual Best of the Ridge Maple Syrup Judging

The Alpine Township Historical Committee sponsored its third annual Best of the Ridge Maple Syrup Judging Sunday afternoon at Alpine Elementary School in Comstock Park.

This year had entries from 8 different sugar bush farms.  Winner for the second year in a row was Boynton Farms.  Second place went to the Ryan and Joy Umlor family farm in Conklin. Judges this year were Marilyn Momber, Nancy Blaszak, both from Alpine Township, Mary Tanis from Walker and Dave Reams from Marne. During the judging, the audience heard a presentation on maple syrup production and viewed photos of maple syrup production.  After the judging, all of those in attendance had the opportunity to share in the tasting.

Mary Alt, Pat and Rick Cedarholm.  Rick prepared the pancakes

Judges Dave Reams, Mary Tanis, Nancy Blaszak, Marilyn Momber

Enjoying the program

Judge Marilyn Momber

2nd place winner Joy Umlor

Judge Nancy Blaszak

Judge Mary Tanis

Judge Dave Reams

Dates to Remember

BOATER SAFETY CLASSES

Alpine Township will host 2 evening Boater Safety classes in 2012. These classes are taught by our community policing officer Nate Ertle, Kent County Sheriff’s Department. The first class will be Tuesday and Wednesday April 24 and 25, and the second opportunity will be on Wednesday and Thursday May 2 and 3. All classes are from 6:30 PM-8:30 PM

 Registration is required. Please call Beth at 784-1262.

 

Students must be at least ten (10) years old and should bring a pen or pencil. A $5.00 registration fee per student will be collected on the first day of the class.  Classes will be at the Alpin Township Hall, 5255 Alpine Ave NW, Comstock Park, MI 49321.

Best of the Ridge, Maple Syrup Competition

Alpine Township Historical Commission will again host a "BEST OF THE RIDGE MAPLE SYRUP" competition on April 15, 2012. It will again be at the Alpine Elementary gym at 2 p.m. All are invited to enjoy the sweet maple syrup produced in Western Michigan after the judging! This year was a short harvest year with only half crop for most producers.

If you are a maple syrup producer, please contact us at the Alpine Township office: 616-784-1262.

Leaf Pick Up

The 2012 Spring Collection dates are

Tuesday April 24 2012

Tuesday May  8 2012 

Platted areas of the Township, including Westgate, Brambleberry Estates, Marway Plat, and areas south of Lamoreaux and east of Alpine are eligible. Bags and tags

can be purchased from the Township Offices during normal business hours, Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM. They can also be purchased at the Alpine Branch Library when the Township offices are closed.

Bags and tags are available at $1 each or eleven for $10.

"I am the Lorax, I speak for the trees"

"I am the Lorax. I speak for the trees. I speak for the trees, for the trees have no tongues. And I'm asking you sir, at the top of my lungs - that thing! That horrible thing that I see! What's that thing you've made out of my truffula tree?"

"Yes, I am the Lorax who speaks for the trees, which you seem to be chopping as fast as you please. But I'm also in charge of the brown Bar-ba-loots, who played in the shade in their Bar-ba-loot suits and happily lived eating truffula fruits. Now, thanks to your hacking my trees to the ground, there's not enough truffula fruit to go 'round!"

These are quotes from "The Lorax", a book for children written by Dr. Seus in 1971 and brought to life again  this year in a computer animated 3D musical comedy film featuring Danny DeVito.

On Wednesday afternoon, several dozen children and family members at the Alpine Township Library were treated to arts and crafts and lots of fun and funny activities.  This included creating Truffula trees and pinning the mustache on the Lorax. They also viewed the original  Lorax movie that was created for television in 1972.

On Tuesday, the library offered Story Time to pre-schoolers.  The theme was Transportation and  Planes and Cars and Trucks and Boats and Trains and Bicycles.  Before the morning was over, those who had been sitting patiently through Story Time had the opportunity to become a vehicle of their choosing as they roamed around the room letting off lots of steam.