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Merchant thinks time may be right for cultural/convention center
TO DO LIST—A 4,000-year-old merchant’s list on baked clay bears a striking resemblance to a modern ipod. Dale Robertson of the Grand Rapids Public Museum spoke to Rockford Rotary on the value of museums to a community. He is pictured with Floyd Havemeier.
by BETH ALTENA
With changes guaranteed to come to downtown with the closing of the Wolverine tannery, one Rockford merchant has a vision he believes would benefit Rockford.
Herman’s Boy’s Floyd Havemeier is an idea guy, and he believes now may be the right timing for consideration of an arts and convention center for Rockford.
“People have a yearning for nostalgia and history and we have such a rich history here,” Havemeier said. He believes a center with room for art shows, musical performances and historic and art displays would draw crowds. He also believes such a facility could be self-supporting.
Havemeier is also willing to put some money where his mouth is and said he is in a position to purchase a 100-year-old carousel he would donate.
At a recent Rotary meeting, members of the Rockford Historical Society were invited to hear from Dale Robertson, president and CEO of the Grand Rapids Public Museum. He told the audience that museums offer much to communities and can be a boon to business and residents.
He said, although museums rarely pay for themselves, they are an attractant. In 2007 museums brought in $2.2 billion in revenue to Kent County.
Rockford already has a beautiful small museum located by the dam in a historic building (without water or plumbing). It is staffed by volunteers from the Rockford Historical Society. At one time an expansion was planned at a cost of $700,000, but funding was unavailable.
Havemeier hopes for a center that could house the Historic Society, but much more. “A town that sells its history sells itself,” Havemeier stated. He said Rockford should and could promote the town’s lumber heritage, Indian heritage, shoe and tanning history as well as the arts.
He pointed out the town is home to a world-class duck carver, nationally-known artists, and could do better promoting fishing and outdoor activities.
He believes the proximity of Rockford to Grand Rapids would make it an ideal day trip to any number of organizations.
Visits could be educational or for entertainment, as in concerts. “Tie it all up with a day shopping on the town,” he suggested.
City Manger Michael Young said the concept is nice, but would be expensive. “We looked into this for the Northland Pontiac building and the cost to remodel that was a million dollars,” he said. “Funding of government is in crisis right now, so where would the money come from to build it? Then you’d have to staff it.” He can’t see it as something the City could consider, financially.
Young said the City already has a great historical museum and neither the Arts Commission or the Historical Society would be likely able to take on a project of that magnitude.
Havemeier hopes that someone may share his enthusiasm for this vision and find a way to make it happen.
“I’m concerned when I see people open a business and put their hopes and dreams and savings into it and fail,” he said. He believes the influx of visitors to a cultural center would benefit all and there would plenty of interest.
With the beautiful downtown, river and a center to highlight Rockfords arts, artists and history, people would travel-and pay-to visit such a center, Havemeier insists. “We have a lot to offer,” he said.
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Deed scammers not legitimate
Some Kent County residents may receive an unsolicited letter from a company urging them to obtain an “official” or certified copy of the deed to their home, according to Kent County Clerk/Register of Deeds Mary Hollinrake.
The letter from National Deed Service Inc. wants to make county residents $59.50 poorer by ordering a copy of their deed through them, rather than the official keeper of real property records for only $3 or less.
County residents who want copies of their deeds need to know that they can obtain them directly from the Register of Deeds office. This can be done by either visiting the office at 300 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, or by going online to www.accesskent.com.
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Rogue River trail wins national award
City officials and representatives of the Rogue River Trail Phase II were present to celebrate the ribbon cutting of the nature trail in June, 2008. It earned national honors for alliances.
Phase II honored as Public Works Project of the Year
It has been 20 years in the works, but has been worth the wait. The Rogue River Trail Phase II project has been named a Public Works Project of the Year by the American Public Works Association (APWA).
“It is a great project, and it’s beautiful. It’s nice to know how we stack up nationally,” said Rockford City Manager Michael Young. The nature trail and boardwalk that residents have been enjoying since June 2008 at the northwest side of the Rockford dam is the second phase of three planned.
The first part of the project was to the south of Ten Mile Road with a boardwalk and viewing and fishing platform. The third phase will be a continuation of the boardwalk up the Rogue River for another one-third mile. Ideally, Young would love to see a walking bridge over the Rogue River connecting the trail to the White Pine Trail.
“That’s what our surveys show residents want, but it would depend on funding,” Young said. He also said a bridge over the river would have to be approved by the state.
The City of Rockford, along with primary contractor Katerberg VerHage and primary consultant Paradigm Design Inc., will be presented with the award for the trail during APWA’s International Public Works Congress & Exposition held in September in Columbus, Ohio.
APWA Project of the Year awards are presented annually to promote management and administration excellence of public works projects by recognizing alliances between managing agencies, contractors, consultants and their cooperative achievements.
This year APWA selected 19 projects in five categories: Disaster or Emergency Construction/Repair, Environment, Historical Restoration/Preservation, Structures, and Transportation. The Rogue River Trail Phase II project received the award in the Structures category, less than $5 million range.
The Rogue River Trail Phase II is the second phase of three to create a scenic trail along the Rogue River, a Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) designated trout stream, from the south side to the north side of the City. The project involves the development of a natural area that is nestled between residential properties and the Rogue River with the intent of preserving natural features and wildlife.
More than 1,500 feet of trail have been added to the City’s trail system starting at Peppler Park/Rockford Dam and winding north along the bank of the Rogue River. The trail includes 100 feet of a 12-foot-wide concrete sidewalk, 1,325 feet of an eight-foot-wide elevated boardwalk, 350 feet of an eight-foot-wide at-grade boardwalk, and two observation platforms where fishing and sightseeing can take place. The trail is designed with accessibility in mind and provides access for all to enjoy the wooded environment, natural wetlands and wildlife, as well as the beautiful Rogue River.
The boardwalk was carefully designed to be low impact in an effort to preserve and protect the existing vegetation and natural surroundings. To minimize habitat disturbance along the river’s edge, the trail was located up the bank away from the shoreline. Prior to the start of the clearing operation, the centerline of the trail was staked in the field so that the City, contractor and consultant could review the impact this alignment would have on the existing trees. The City wanted to limit the amount of tree removals to only those necessary for construction of the trail. The path alignment was adjusted several times to avoid removing several large mature trees. One of the observation platforms was also relocated to avoid tree removals.
Site conditions were a major factor in the design and construction of the trail. The topography along this section of river consists of approximately 40 feet of elevation change from the river’s edge to the top of the bank. Most of the slopes consist of a 1:1 or steeper slope. Design and construction methods had to minimize disturbance of the existing slopes to prevent potentially serious soil erosion. This was accomplished by installing the piling from a barge and bringing materials in from the barge and down the completed path as it was constructed. The contractor customized a trailer that would fit between the railings so that the deck boards could be brought in from the south end of the project since the north end does not provide any access.
The trail was completed in time for the City of Rockford’s annual Start of Summer Celebration. A ribbon-cutting for the trail was held on June 14, 2008.
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Couple bet their farm on ‘green’ community
‘Lettuce’ introduce you to newest regular vendor at Rockford’s Farm Market. The market is held each Saturday in downtown Rockford.
by CLIFF and NANCY HILL
Last summer The Rockford Squire published a series of articles highlighting a cross-section of vendors at the Rockford Farm Market. There were no plans to continue the series this year, but a young couple has recently been awarded a coveted weekly slot at the farm market and theirs is a compelling story.
Rachelle and Andrew Bostwick, owners of Earthkeeper Farm, no longer have to rise at 3:00 a.m. Saturday mornings to secure one of four to five stalls set aside for those not holding season-long reservations.
Regular status makes life much easier as regulars need only to arrive no later than 7:30 a.m. to set up their stalls. The Bostwicks had the good fortune of replacing a vendor of dog treats who opted not to return this year. (Fear not, dog bones are still available at the Great Harvest Bread Co. stall.)
Prior to purchasing their 20-acre farm, the Bostwicks had spent many a growing season working as apprentice farmers in places such as New York and as far away as Mexico and Spain. They did so working under an umbrella organization known as the Cooperative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training (CRAFT).
In 2007, it was time to put their training and education into practice on their own newly purchased farm.
Most young couples, when purchasing property, look for such things as the square footage of the home, number of bedrooms and baths, and a litany of amenities. Not so, this couple. Rachelle said, “Our number one criteria was the quality and fertility of the soil. So after looking at somewhere between 20 and 30 properties, we found what we were looking for on Fruit Ridge
Avenue in Kent City, and embarked on a dream of becoming sustainable organic farmers.”
Four of the 12 tillable acres of Earthkeeper Farm are currently in production. The remaining acreage consists of pastures and woodlots. During the growing season, they employ students and, as Rachelle laughingly says, “conscripted in-laws.”
The Bostwicks strictly adhere to the principles of sustainable agriculture with a goal of, hopefully, starting the process of being certified as an organic farm in 2010.
“Sustainable agriculture refers to the ability of a farm to produce food indefinitely, without causing severe or irreversible damage to ecosystem health,” says Andrew. “In doing so, we also embrace and employ all the methods of organic farming.”
During the growing season, the Bostwicks grow and harvest 60 crops consisting of 130 of varieties of produce. Salad greens are a particular forte of theirs. They grow 30 varieties of lettuce alone. Harvested the evening before the Saturday morning market, customers are assured of strictly fresh farm goods, untainted by chemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides. Summer equals cold crisp salads, and all the ingredients necessary are found at the Earthkeeper Farm stall.
This is the Bostwicks’ second year at the Rockford Farm Market, the only market they attend. Rachelle, who is expecting their first child in September, says, “We hope one day to grow our farm’s production to the point where Andrew and I can ‘quit our off-farm day jobs’ and devote ourselves full time to this passion of ours of providing the very best and healthful foods to customers.”
According to a Michigan State University study, after California, Michigan is the most agriculturally diverse state in the nation, producing more than 200 agriculture commodities. Nowhere is that more evident than what is available every Saturday morning at the Rockford Farm Market.
The Earthkeeper Farm stall is located trailside toward the south end of the market. Stop by, say hi, and introduce yourself to the very best that this corner of Michigan has to offer. Rachelle and Andrew are founts of information about sustainable and organic farming, and Rachelle happily offers preparation and serving suggestions for their eclectic mix of farm produce. While there, ask about how you can become “hands on” involved in Earthkeeper Farm’s Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. CSA farms, so to speak, put the farmer’s face on food.
CSA is a partnership between a farm and a community of supporters, and CSA members purchase a “share” of the crops that are grown. In return, the farm provides a healthy supply of produce.
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Grad shares ‘Sugar’ sweet memories of ‘Great White Nope’
MEMORIES—Class of 1984 graduate Kim (Tucker) Bartlett holds classmate Chris Carlson's time capsule contribution of a poster of his idol, CMU's standout basketball player, Melvin "Sugar" McGlaughin. Sugar regularly poured in 40 points per game during that era.
by CLIFF & NANCY HILL
and CHRIS CARLSON, RHS class of ‘84
In covering the time capsule story in the Tuesday, June30, 2009 edition of The Rockford Squire, we communicated with Rockford High School (RHS) centennial class of 1984 members from all over the country and the world.
One such ‘84 graduate was Chris Carlson. Chris is the grandson of Ted Carlson, after whom the RHS football stadium was named the Ted Carlson Memorial Stadium (“The Ted”). At the RHS graduation ceremony in 1984 his proud father, Dave Carlson, who at the time was a Rockford School Board Member, presented Chris his diploma. Chris, now 43, works and resides in Tokyo, Japan. Chris knows a thing or two about the newspaper business. He is employed as the news bureau chief of the Far Eastern Division of the Stars and Stripes Armed Services Newspaper.
We contacted Chris to see if he would share any memories of his RHS years and what, if anything, he might have placed in the centennial class of ‘84 time capsule.
Chris recollects what he placed in the time capsule and has a great story to go along with it. We loved the story and believe you will too, especially guys.
This is superior storytelling, the likes of which you would seldom read in a “local” newspaper (except for the Squire, that is!).
So here in an endearing and self-deprecating style is Chris’ story in his own words:
In the time capsule there should be a poster of former Central Michigan University (CMU) basketball star Melvin “Sugar” McGlaughin. I doubt if anyone from my class will remember the story behind the poster, although there may be a couple of guys.
Anyway, Melvin was guard out of Creston High who could shoot from downtown. When I was in high school, I remember watching him pour in 40-plus points during a couple of games at CMU. This was before Dan Marjerle put CMU’s basketball program back on the map. Although Melvin’s teams didn’t do much in the league standings, he always put on a show and he was my idol.
As for me, during my freshman and sophomore years at Rockford I played basketball. Well, to say I “played” is overstating it. You see, my skills were more up to par with someone nicknamed “The Great White Nope” than with the sweet-shooting Sugar. I was slow, shot (pushed is more like it) the ball from my chest and couldn’t touch the backboard if my life depended on it. A nine-inch vertical will do that to you. But boy could I put on clinic during pre-game warm-ups. I’d dribble between my legs and around my back and then make some funky pass that I had no idea where it was going. You could say I was a First Team All-American when it came to warming up. But when the game started, I would find my rightful place at the end of the bench and cheer on my teammates. And I could yell with the best of them-still can. When I did get into a game, I did what any team-oriented scrub does: fire that rock up whenever the chance came.
During my sophomore season, I started calling myself “Melvin.” To be honest, the moniker didn’t help my game or my playing time, but I didn’t care. In my own little world, I thought I was as sweet as “Sugar.” And, believe it or not, there was one game where I proved I had the touch from downtown.
It was against West Ottawa. Let me set the scene: Nine seconds left in the fourth quarter and we’re only down by… 37 points. Yep, it was my time to shine. Yep, I was the kind of player you put in with only nine seconds left and the game completely out of reach. But I didn’t care. All I wanted to do was get on the floor.
Since I was a point guard-they had to label me something in the program-I received the out-of-bounds pass from Kurt Clark and brought the ball up the court, not forgetting to dribble a couple of times between my legs and around my back for good measure. As I crossed half court, I noticed Dennis Cavner wide open under the basket, flailing his arms to get my attention. Although I knew he had an easy two if I shoveled the ball his way, I could feel it was my night to shine. So as the clock ticked down, I stopped at the top of the key and fired up the most beautiful shot. (The ball was actually a knuckle-curve that was anything textbook, but as you get older it’s nice to put a little polish on your memories.) SWISH! Nothing but net. Me and the rest of the scrubs actually ran off the court in celebration.
Yeah, back in 1984, Rockford wasn’t a powerhouse like it is today. Kentwood ruled the conference, so we took pride in the little victories, even if it was a shot from a scrub.
I didn’t play varsity basketball. In fact, during my senior year I put my vocals to use as the PA announcer during the games. That was more up my alley, but I’ll always cherish those nine seconds at West Ottawa when “Melvin” hit the big shot.
I’m sure there will be other trinkets in the capsule that will only have special meaning to a person or two. So there’s the story behind the poster.
I can’t believe it’s been 25 years, although my graying hair and beard say otherwise. Although I won’t be there to celebrate and reminisce with my classmates, I will be thinking of them as the memories pour out from the time capsule.
Thanks for contacting me. Ya know, even though I live in Japan, Rockford will always be home.
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