Fright Night in Alpine Townhsip

Halloween night at home.  Not safe on the streets today. Seems as if the dead returned from the graves

 

 

 

 

Munchkins Unleashed

One of the favorite events at the Alpine Township Center is when preschoolers gather at the library and stop at the office for trick or treat. Staff is always prepared.  This year was no exception as the children enjoyed activities at the library and then toured our offices, led by Library Manager Shaunna Martz.

 




 Library Manager Shaunna Martz

 

Judith McNally: THIS IS YOUR LIFE!

Members of the Alpine Township Historical Committee caught committee member Judy McNally by surprise this Sunday.  Thinking that she was to present a program about her well known button collection, Judy learned early through her presentation that the committee had other ideas and instead intended to honor her for her life and many contributions.  The 96 year old Judy is creating quite a legacy over her life span, beginning with her work during World War II with the Signal Corps and continuing today with her involvement in the Historical Committee, Audubon Society, and as a volunteer at the Veteran's Home.

 

Members of the Alpine Township Board were on hand and Township Supervisor Alex Arends read a proclamation honoring Judy and proclaiming Sunday October 19 as Judith L. McNally Day. Special guest at the event was Michigan State Representative Rob VerHeulen who took time from a busy week of campaigning to present Judy with a Special Tribute signed by him, Senator Jansen, and Michigan Governor Snyder.  Committee member Don Doyle read Judy's life story, from a book prepared by Marta Brechting.  Judy's life story in words and pictures was also converted to video format so that the large audience was as entertained as Judy was.

 

At the end of the program, Judy was also presented with a cake especially prepared for her in her favorite colors. 

 

THANK YOU, JUDITH MCNALLY, FOR WHO YOU ARE AND ALL YOU DO!

Judy with Don Doyle who was master of ceremonies

Michigan State Representative Rob VerHeulen reads Judy a special tribute from himself, Senator Mark Jansen, and Governor Richard Snyder 

 

Representative Rob VerHeulen and wife Norma

 

Judy and her special cake

A few of the admirers who came out to help honor Judy

 

Harvest Time 2014

Just a few miles from downtown Grand Rapids you can find yourself in the middle of the country, and what a time of the year it is to visit there! 6 Mile Road just west of M-37 offers a number of farm markets, lots of apple orchards, and beautiful scenery.





Farm markets on the road include Brechting Farms, Morse Brothers Farms, and Dunneback and Girls Farms.  A special event at Dunneback and Girls Farms this Saturday was a chili cook-off to benefit the Michigan Lyme Disease Association of Michigan. Seven contestants battled each other to claim  their chili as best. Visitors had plenty of other things to do including visiting the general store, take a tour through the maze, or visit the pumpkin patch.

 







Chili Cook off Contestants

 

The great pumpkin is in the foreground

Morse Farms

Along 6 Mile Rd.

Preparing for General Elections

With general elections just days away, election workers are getting last minute tips on proper procedures.  Wednesday, Kent County Elections Director   Susan deSteiguer offered training for election workers  from a number of local municipalities at the Alpine Township Hall.

Following her session, Plainfield Township Clerk Ruth Ann Karnes took the opportunity to address students from Northview and Comstock Park High School interested in  becoming election workers.

Ruth Ann Karnes with students from Northview and Comstock Park High Schools

Gratitude - Fire and Public Safety

Craig VanHaften

Every day our fire and public safety officers respond to situations that don't always end with a happy note, and when they do, it is not often that they receive words of gratitude in a manner expressed Monday by the VanHaften family of Rockford.

 

Craig and Becky VanHaften and their son Chad stopped by Alpine Fire Station #1 at Alpine Church Road to express their gratitude towards law enforcement, fire department, and Life EMT personnel who on September 19 kept Craig alive after suffering what could have been a fatal heart attack while getting an oil change at the Pennzoil station on Alpine Ave.

 

With Pennzoil employees pushing his car out of the bay so that emergency technicians and law enforcement personnel could better reach Craig, it was because of the quick response by fire and police personnel, the proper training, and the right equipment that Craig survived his ordeal.

 

"God used you to perform a miracle" stated Becky, who prayed feverishly as medically trained personnel worked on her husband. "You are the heroes who brought my husband and our children's father back to us."

 

Monday, members of the family dropped by Alpine Fire Station to personally thank all those involved in Craig's amazing recovery. 

 

As we continue to celebrate Fire Safety Month, let us expand on that and acknowledge the good that is done by those who protect us from harm and danger.

 

Left to right Tim Schweitzer, Mark Nawara, Chad VanHaften, Donna VanHaften, Craig VanHaften, Nate Potter, Hanna Messer, Dale DeKorte, Ryan Coil

Amongst those joining this celebration of life were Kent County Undersheriff John Hess, Sgt. Roger Zoppa, and Sheriff Larry Stelma




There was an awful lot of hugging going on

 

 

Crime Prevention Month

October is Crime Prevention Month and it is the month that the Crime Prevention Association of Michigan  conducts it's annual Crime Prevention Conference; this year in Traverse City Michigan. The meeting is attended by law enforcement  and neighborhood crime prevention specialists from across Michigan.

 

Tuesday night featured an award presentation, during which many West Michigan Law Enforcement Agencies were recognized, including Kentwood, Wyoming and Walker. Outstanding Volunteer of the Year was Mr. Anthony Martin with the Eastown Community Association.  Also recognized was Mr. Rich Geldhof, Rogue River Tavern for his support of projects od community projects offered by the  Rockford Michigan Police Department.  The association also recognizes a youth each year and this year's recipient was Sydney Bogard from Rockford.

 

Kent County Deputy Nate Ertle, former Community Policing Officer for Alpine Township was recognized for his past service to his community and for has past service to the Board of Directors  of the Crime Prevention Association of Michigan.

 

The City of Walker Public Safety Director Chief Catherine Garcia Lindstrom was recognized for her  for her work and commitment towards Explorer Post 2043, which is made up of local young people under the age of 21 who are interested in a career in Law Enforcement.

 

Accompanying Chief Garcia Lindstrom to the conference and presentation were community policing officers Butch Redzinski and Shannon VenderHeuvel, a number of civilian guests, and three special guests, members of Explorer Post 2043 Lauren Van Dam, Sydney Bogard, and Kenowa Hills High School student Elizabeth Caputo.

 

Former Grand Rapids Chief of Police Harry Dolan offered an inspiring key note address and remained for a Wednesday presentation on "Public Safety Excellence", stressing points that  are as important to other public officials as they are to law enforcement.

 

Crime Prevention and Community Policing and the proactive programs and practices that accompany  these mindsets, are very much contributing towards the betterment of life in Alpine Township.  As we celebrate Crime Prevention Month,  this is a great opportunity to thank deputies Nate Ertle and Ryan Guernsey, all other Kent County Sheriff personnel assigned to our Township and volunteers for whatever cause they are connected to for their past, current, and future commitment.

 

Left to right Lauren Van Dam, Officer Shannon VanderHeuvel. Elizabeth Caputo, Officer Buth Redzinski, Sydney Bogard and Chief Catherine Garcria-Lindstrom

 

 

 

Grand Traverse County Honor Guard

 

 

 

 

2014 Comstock Park Home Coming Parade

Dark clouds and cold winds could not dampen the team spirit as the  Comstock Park School community celebrated the Comstock Park  Homecoming with its Annual Parade. Below are a few pictures of the 2014 event.