Current Issue
Four inducted into Rockford Athletic Hall of Fame
RAM FAME—Pictured are this year’s inductees into the Rockford Athletic Hall of Fame. From left Tim and Pam Beimers, Tammy (Staudacher) Daly and Jason Schab. Not picture is Fred Rowley, who died in WWII.
Twently years ago, then Athletic Director Dave Price instituted the Rockford Athletic Hall of Fame. He believed Rockford should recognize some of the outstanding athletes, coaches and community members that make the athletic program the success it is. Now that elite membership includes 92 individuals, four of which joined the ranks on Wednesday, October 14, in a ceremony at Boulder Creek Golf Club.
Rockford Athletic Director Tim Erickson opened the evening by reminding the audience that nominations are always welcome, and the distinction is open to athletes, coaches and community members. Athletes must be students who graduated at least ten years before they can be nominated, coaches must have coached at least five years, and all candidates must have made a significant contribution to the Rockford athletic program.
First to be recognized was Fred Rowley, receiving the award posthumously. Presenter Terry Konkle said Rowley was one of the young men who graduated Rockford High School to join World War II. “He was a great athlete of his era,” stated Konkle. Konkle said he went through the old Rockford Registers and found Rowley’s name often from 1939 to 1941, when Rowley graduated. “I noticed in the ‘40s about every week there was mention of athletes who were going into war. Then I would see the write-ups about how they died,” Konkle said. Rowley’s obituary ran September 2, 1943 after he was killed in the south Pacific.
Konkle said Rowley was All Conference for football in the 1940 season, which was the first season at the “new” stadium on Lewis Street. He was also known to hit homeruns that went on the roof of the school on Main Street, now the administration building. Multiple people mentioned he did this about ten times a year in baseball, often going right over the school into the road.
Tammy (Staudacher) Daly was the next to be inducted. Daly was a three-sport athlete who graduated in 1993. Don Seifert said Daly was described by her teammates as a dedicated athlete. “The word dedicated came up over and over again,” Seifert said. She was four years in swim, track and volleyball while also participating in band and the honor society. She said at the time she wanted to pursue a career in the biomedical field, where she now works. “She set a plan, she strived to achieve her goals andshe met them,” Seifert said. “She is a complete package, not just as an athlete but as a well-rounded person.”
Daly praised her parents for her success and said she didn’t think there was ever an event in which she competed that they attend. When she made nationals, her father did a “planes, trains and automobiles”-type effort to get to the event.
Third in the inductions was a couple, Pam and Tim Beimers, presented by their son, Tim. Beimers said his parents have been tireless supporters of Rockford sports. “They are always moving, always busy, always doing things,” he said.
Pam Beimers said she loves being behind the scenes helping others but found it strange to be inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame. “When I was in high school I was on the debate team,” she said. She said the football program has had an incredible impact on her sons and offered this challenge to others. “If you jump in and volunteer, amazing things can happen.”
Tim Beimers senior said it is very humbling to be inducted. “From day one when Tim came into our lives, it was all about our kids,” he said. “It’s been a great ride and the coaching staff is like a family. It amazes me to have a school our size with so much community involvement. There are a lot of parents doing what we do. To receive this honor is truly amazing.”
The final inductee was Jason Schab, who was presented by Tim Saur. Saur joked about his years in school and athletics with Schab, who now is an employee and coach at Rockford. “Fred Rawley was the first to play at the old stadium, Jason and I were the last,” he said. Schab has coached the 78ers for seven years and his kids love the intensity, desire and leadership he brings to coaching. “He was the best linebacker Rockford every had, a great baseball player and he’s a great employee,” Saur stated.
Schab recalled his years in Rockford athletics. “I am honored to have been chosen. There are hundreds and hundreds of athletes who go through the athletic program,” he said. “We were a new team, we were the first team for this new coach named Munger.” Schab said the team was the first to win the OK Red, first to qualify for state playoffs. “It was a huge year of firsts. It’s amazing to look back and see how far we’ve come, how big the program has become.”
Print This Story
Herman’s Boy has reinvented, reinvested for success
Family business celebrates 30 years
When Floyd Havemeier purchased his first building in downtown Rockford, he had no intention of opening up his own shop, much less starting a family dynasty in Herman’s Boy, a roastery, bakery, confectionery and smokehouse located at 220 Northland Drive. Now his store employs three generations of the family, has a total staff of 20 and is in the 30th year of operation.
“It’s hard to talk about how good things are when so many people are having a hard time,” Havemeier said. “It’s not that we work hard, lots of people work hard and it doesn’t work out for them. It’s timing and blessings.”
Havemeier said he was working in the insurance industry when he purchased the building at 63 Courtland, now Aunt Candy’s Toy Company, as an investment. As Havemeier became familiar with the town and its shops, he thought it might be nice to have a business where his wife Sharon and kids could work while he was away long hours at his job. Havemeier said he was often out of town Monday through late Friday and had to work from his office Saturdays. He didn’t see much of his family. He thought a little shop might be nice for them.
It was 1979 and things in Rockford were different than today. Back then Harvest Festival was only one weekend and it was sponsored by the Squire’s Street merchants association. There were just as many stores, but more of the merchants made what they sold. Havemeier’s kids were young—Jeff, the oldest, was 17, Doug was 15, Heidi was ten or 11 and Brian was five or six.
“People who want to have a business of their own think about what they are willing to put into it, not what it is necessary to put into it,” he said. “They think about what they owe their family, what they owe their children. I think one thing you owe them is to support them.”
In the beginning, the business, then the Melting Pot, sold hand-made items such as children’s clothing and other small products. Havemeier had heard of a buisiness that was going under, the Coffee Ranch, and purchased it, so the shop sold coffee as well. “I kept that business [the Coffee Ranch] going without interruption,” he said. “It is now 108 years old, which is how we are a Michigan Centennial retailer.”
As time progressed, Havemeier purchased inventories of businesses that were closing, rather than have those products no longer available in Rockford. The children grew into the job as well. At first they had little jobs to do. Havemeier even built a little cubby-hole play house for the youngest in the walls and the children would talk to customers from it. Later they took on real jobs and began running the day-to-day operations along with Havemeier, who still works 40 to 60 hours a week. When Sharon no longer worked in the store she provided care for the grandchildren, which she still does.
“In 30 years I never found it necessary to fire anyone,” he said. “We all have different talents and we just sort of steer that person in the direction of their talents.” He also said one of his most enjoyable aspects of the company has been working with the youngsters as employees. “With the exception of two boys who left before we could fire them, they all have been exceptionally competent and reliable. I think that says a lot of the community and the school system.”
Havemeier uses the example of Steve Peck, who began working for the company as a high school student. Peck went on to culinary school and the day he graduated, Havemeier offered him a full time job. Each of Havemeier’s children have also moved into their own field within the business.
Heidi does the baking, along with Peck. Doug does the cookware purchasing for the kitchen items and ceramics. Brian is in charge of the smokehouse, grilling and teaches grilling classes as well. “Everyone can do everyone else’s job, though,” Havemeier pointed out. He couldn’t be more proud of the hard work his family continues to put into the business and how their individual talents have grown with the company.
Over the years Havemeier has seen many shops come and go and knows each closed door is a heartache and dashed dreams to the owner. “Some can’t make it. They get into rental contracts they have no business getting into. To survive they need sufficient customers through their doors. It’s a delicate balance.”
Part of the success of Herman’s Boy was that Havemeier supported his family with his insurance job, so any profits could be reinvested back into the company. He also said businesses will have a better chance of survival if they can afford to buy a building rather than depend on a landlord. Before moving from his original Courtland location to the Coffee Ranch on Northland Drive, he sold his buildings downtown to merchants he believed would succeed.
Recognizing value is another lesson Havemeier believes has made his family business a success. He believes this is a lesson the business community could follow. As the different stores he incorporated into Herman’s Boy were closing, he bought them, appreciating the value of what they had to offer. Each added piece made the whole that much more marketable. Havemeier thinks the town has plenty of historic and artistic value that could add to an already impressive package.
With manufacturing in Wolverine closing down, Havemeier thinks right now is the time to save the history of the Rockford manufacturing shoe industry. “It served its purpose and it is time [to close it],” he said. “To preserve knowledge and history, we need to act now while the people are still around who worked there. That’s a marketable value to this town.”
Havemeier believes the many talents in our community could be showcased in a cultural center. He believes that Rockford’s location, so close to the conventions held in Grand Rapids, could make it a day-trip destination. People visiting Grand Rapids could come here and enjoy our shops and restaurants and would be more likely to do so if there was a central destination where they could learn about the town’s history and art.
Having works of art on his walls today is a benefit Havemeier uses himself. Rogue River Artist show their work at Herman’s Boy during festivals, and if a piece sells, Havemeier does not take a percentage. “I already benefit from having them here. I may benefit more than they do. It’s a two-way street.”
ArtPrize proved his point, Havemeier believes. “When they first announced it, a lot of people didn’t think it was a good idea, and look what happened,” he said. “They will come.” He also used the Calder as an example. “A lot of people don’t even like the Calder, but when they go to Grand Rapids, they take people to look at it. Then they shop and eat.”
Now Havemeier can often be found in Herman’s Boy and at any given time several of his children are certain to be there. He said business is good, and credit should go to the ones who made it happen, his children. “Growing up, my children mostly only saw me on parts of the weekend. Now we are together as much as 50 to 100 hours a week. That’s a balance in life. I missed a lot then, but now the Lord has balanced it out—it’s more than evened up.”
Print This Story
All eyes on you
Students at Crestwood Elementary were riveted by the wild bird show put on by Joe Rogers of the Wildlife Recovery Association. They learned that loons are not closely related to ducks but are related to penguins. Students had many questions about the owls, hawks and turkey vulture they were able to see as well as a pigeon and chicken they were able to pet. The visit was paid for by a donation to the wildlife program by the family of Lance Urbanski, a student at the school. The Wildlife Recovery Association is a non-profit 501c3.
Print This Story
Man on the street — How do you feel about Judge Servaas and the courthouse possibly leaving Rockford? by Ana Olvers
“I agree with the consolidation. But it’s going to hurt Rockford. The state will save, but the public will lose because of the inconvenience." Roger Betten, Trufant
“If Servaas wasn’t in agreement, then they shouldn’t have even built a new building." Nancy Dykstra, Rockford
![“He [Judge Servaas] should stick around. He’s fair and doesn’t consider himself higher than you or I. It’s going to be an inconvenience. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”](http://rockfordsquire.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/MOS-Rhoderick.jpg "“He [Judge Servaas] should stick around. He’s fair and doesn’t consider himself higher than you or I. It’s going to be an inconvenience. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”")
“He [Judge Servaas should stick around. He’s fair and doesn’t consider himself higher than you or I. It’s going to be an inconvenience. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”"
“Because of all the years he’s served Rockford and the community, it’d be nice if he could stay.” Jennifer Kramarz, Rockford
“It seems unfair to the Rockford community. It doesn’t make sense. Rockford is a growing community... leave him where he is.” Kaitlin Morrill, East Grand Rapids
Print This Story
Local families join global effort to help 8 million suffering children
CHRISTMAS SPIRIT—A child in Mexico receives a Christmas shoebox gift from Operation Christmas Child. Photo courtesy of OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD
A local church church is the drop off point for a world wide children’s program. Crossroads Church, 8331 Meyers Lake Road, Rockford is part of Operation Christmas Child.
U.S. kids have no time to waste helping bring joy to millions of needy boys and girls this holiday season. Sending hope to hurting children worldwide is a full-time, year-round effort that requires the contagious compassion of West Michigan families, right now!
Operation Christmas Child, the world’s largest Christmas project, is calling on local kids, families, churches, businesses, schools and community groups to fill shoeboxes full of gifts for children overseas who are suffering from disease, famine, war, terrorism and natural disaster.
“My shoebox gift might be the only gift a child has ever received,” said Jennie Nichols, who has been happily packing shoebox gifts for the past seven years. “A shoebox can make a difference. It lets children know that someone really does care about them.”
Operation Christmas Child, a project of international Christian relief and evangelism organization Samaritan’s Purse, headed by Franklin Graham, has collected and hand-delivered more than 68 million shoebox gifts to hurting kids in some 130 countries since 1993.
“It’s amazing how much simple gifts like small toys, pencils, toothbrushes and a handwritten note mean to children who may have nothing to call their own,” said Lori Hoyt, who volunteers and packs shoebox gifts.
Here’s how you can help:
• PREPARE—Enlist families, churches, community groups, and businesses to take part in making shoebox gifts for needy children.
• PACK—Fill shoe boxes with toys, necessity items, school supplies, candy and a letter of encouragement.
• PROCESS—Sign up to join thousands of Operation Christmas Child volunteers this fall, at one of hundreds of collection sites across Michigan, to collect and prepare millions of shoebox gifts for delivery to underprivileged children on six continents.
For more information on how to participate in Operation Christmas Child, visit www.samaritanspurse.org.
Print This Story
Visitors
-
Marketplace
