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Student strength of character to be recognized
LAST YEAR’S STUDENTS—chosen for Examples in Excellence, Rockford Students Making a Difference. The unveiling ceremony for this year’s honored students is next Monday, February 8 at 7:30 p.m.
It is one of the most positive stories the Squire covers in the course of a year. Actually, it is over a dozen separate stories.
From every school in the Rockford district, principals and staff have the hard task of picking just one student for a very special honor.
In Examples in Excellence, Rockford Students Making a Difference, we honor young people chosen for their generosity of heart and strength of character.
In a joint effort with Rockford Public Schools, Douglas Photography and The Rockford Squire, students are recognized in print, in portrait photography and in person next Monday, February 8.
Photographer Dan Davison brought to Rockford the idea of recognizing kids for all they do to make a difference in the lives of others.
The students are chosen by the school staff, the first step in a long process that culminates at an unveiling ceremony that will be held at 7:30 p.m. at the auditorium at the Rockford Schools Administration building.
Parents, grandparents, siblings, friends, school staff and the Board of Education recognize these youngsters and first see the biographies and photographs published in an heirloom publication that will be treasured for a lifetime.
Douglas Photography’s Davidson donates his time and cost in taking portraits of the kids and creating large framed photos that will be displayed in the administration offices for the next full year. After, each family is given the portrait as a gift. At the ceremony, the portraits are seen for the first time.
The Squire publishes a keepsake edition supplement to the newspaper, a stand-alone, full color Examples in Excellence, Rockford Students Making a Difference. Supported by local businesses, the publication is also unveiled for the first time at the ceremony before being distributed in the Squire and at participating companies.
“It gives us an opportunity to recognize these very well-rounded students,” said Lisa Jacobs, Director of Rockford Community Education Services. In its ninth year, the ceremony continues to be packed with proud supporters of these students.
“These students are always very humble, very thankful to be recognized,” Jacobs said. Each year the families are thrilled that their child was chosen for such an elite honor and for such a good cause.
“Any time we have an opportunity to recognize student achievement and excellence we should embrace it,” said Dr. Michael Shibler, Superintendent of Rockford Public Schools. “It is really an honor that obviously goes to only a select few, we see parents who are overwhelmed.”
In years past family from out of state have flown in to be present at the evening’s unveiling, where the biographies of each student are read as the young person takes their place of honor on stage.
Kids who volunteer in church, in senior living facilities, for outreach organizations have been selected. Others are recognized for their leadership in kindness to their fellow students. This year has a very exciting group of young men and women who represent true stories of success in heart and selflessness.
“Ever generation is critical of the generation that coming up behind them,” Shibler said. “It’s always the same, I remember it when I was young. This is one example, with these kids, that people should be confident that the future is going to be in good hands. These are young people who excel in community service, in athletics, in academics or on stage. It is a reflection of an entire generation.”
Shibler said it is also a reflection of our community and families, in producing such caring students. It is typical of Rockford in many ways, where the community embraces so many important events, such as Relay for Life, Mitchell’s Run and so many others. Watch next week’s Squire for this year’s Examples in Excellence.
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Are these lips best?
Mrs. Havemeier thinks they are. You can enter too. See form on page 13 of the February 4, 2010 Rockford Squire.
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City to draft wind turbine ordinance, proposes moratorium on growing medical marijuana
Rockford’s Planning Commission listens to Jessica Lehti, of Cascade Engineering, discuss her company’s wind turbines.
The City of Rockford Planning Commission listened to advice from Cascade Engineering’s Jessica Lehti on crafting a wind turbine ordinance. She spoke before the group on Thursday, January 28 at Rockford City Hall after a dinner of pizza and soda.
Cascade Engineering’s Renewable Energy Solutions has sold turbines around the world and has worked with municipalities that have ordinances in place and those that do not.
According to Rockford City Manager Michael Young, there have not yet been any proposed wind turbine installations in Rockford, but Wolverine World Wide has considered putting in large wind turbines in years past. Leiti said Wolverine has contacted her company more recently and has a meeting set up to discuss wind turbines.
“We waste a lot of energy in America,” Lehti said. She said it is important to look for new ways of creating energy. “The way we are doing it now [creating energy] is not very efficient.” She said it is important to look for new ways of creating energy now before we have rolling blackouts, and stated that the way we make energy now, from coal and natural gas, will not last forever.
Lehti explained the output of different wind turbines in kilowatt hours and said ten 100 kilowatt-bulbs use one kilowatt of energy, and left on for one year use 8,760 kilowatts (kW) of power. In her household she took on a company challenge of lowering energy use and is leading with a low 6,000 kW per year.
Smaller wind turbines, those up to the size of a water tower (a large small, Lehti said), generate considerably less energy than larger ones, whose energy creation is measured in megawatts. One megawatt is 1,000 kWs of energy. Lehti said a beneficial aspect of wind energy is that wind is often most powerful at the hours of the day when more energy is being used, between 12:30 and 4 p.m. Unfortunately, Michigan is not a particularly windy state. Wind quality in Rockford is not substantial, she said.
Lehti advised Rockford to create an ordinance for both residential and industrial areas of the City and said some cities only allow installation through special use permits, which is expensive and time consuming. She said that the Federal Aviation Association already regulates wind turbines, but it would likely benefit Rockford to have its own regulations. “People don’t always like to follow the rules,” she stated.
She discussed what was jokingly referred to as “turbine psychois,” where people oppose them on the grounds that they create flicker and kill birds and bats. “They don’t want to hear that 97-percent of the birds that are killed were mostly killed by the family cat,” Lehti said. At Cascade Engineering they have turbines and have not noticed any dead birds in the years since installation.
Lehti also reported few complaints from the turbines the company has installed. One that did generate complaints was a turbine installed on a historic home. That complaint was later resolved. She said there are 80 of her company’s turbines now in the United States and 250 in the United Kingdom.
At this time the cost of installing a turbine is not going to be recovered by the cost of energy saved, despite a 30-percent federal incentive. “Ultimately we are going to need a state incentive. Today here in Michigan its not about putting dollars in your pocket.”
Young said he believes there is no reason to wait in creating an ordinance and pointed out that there is already a wind turbine in Courtland Township. “It makes all the sense in the world to me to craft an ordinance. It’s only a matter of time before we receive a request.”
In other business before the board, Young said that the Congregational Church will likely ask for permission for an expansion and have discussed removing a home on Fremont Street to create a circular drive. Planning Commissioner Tammy Bergstrom pointed out that the board has declined similar requests in the past and considers tearing down homes to be a detriment to a neighborhood.
Young also asked the commission to consider a six-month moratorium on growing medical marijuana. According to Brien Dews, who is the City Council liason to the Planning Commission, state law now allows 12 plants per person to those who qualify for medical marijuana use. “The state is going to look into it, but the state can’t get anything done or get anything right,” Young said. “It’s obviously a new topic and somewhat fascinating. It’s like everything else, we have to decide where we will allow it.” According to Young, the City has not yet had any requests to grow or distribute marijuana.
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Members honored at Chamber dinner
Polly VonEschen accepts the Rockford Chamber of Commerce Retailer of the Year Award for her store, Baskets in the Belfry.
Rockford Chamber of Commerce members and guests met for a gala evening of honors and dining on Friday, January 29, at the Chamber’s annual meeting and awards ceremony.
The guest speaker was Dan Gaydou, publisher of the Grand Rapids Press and a Rockford resident.
Gaydou offered what he called “a brief synopsis of a serious topic” and spoke of the current conditions in Michigan.
“Facing reality, we have to admit we are in terrible shape in Michigan,” he said. On any list of economic vibrancy, the state ranks low, yet Michigan has a lot going for it. Michigan is the second highest boating state, has very giving residents, and is rich in innovation and new technology.
“I see a lot of things going on that are good, but I do believe our political system is broken,” he stated. “We have to get back to the business of people finding jobs.”
Gaydou said our state’s industrial revolution has become a technical revolution and the days of low tech, high-pay jobs are gone. “We can’t live in denial. We have to start to learn to compete in this environment. I’m sick and tired of hearing that our kids are not as smart as the kids in Japan, Europe, India, China. Our urban school districts are failing our children.”
Gaydou said entrepreneurship is the heart of development in this area, and that small business may be the future of the economy. He mentioned changes at the Press, symptomatic of changes in the state, saying it is “going through a tremendous amount of upheaval.”
Last year’s winner of the Service Award, Action Tax and Money Concepts’ Jerry Coon hands out this year’s award to Blaine Kellermeier of Kellermeier Plumbing, Inc.
“Is it going to be fine? Yes. Is it easy? No.” Gaydou said. With 60 legislators to be term-limited out, Gaydou said, “Half the elected officials in the state could be new people. Change is up to me and you.”
Gaydou’s speech was followed by board member elections, the year in review and the Business of Distinctions awards. Nominated in the Quality of Life Category were Herremans and Bosscher Orthodontics; Huntington National Bank and Wolverine World Wide YMCA.
Nominated in the New Business Category were Double Take Resale, LLC and Nance-Martin Accounting Service.
Char Bouwkamp receives the evening’s top award, Business of the Year, for D&W Fresh Market, for the company’s long standing in Rockford and generous support of community events.
Nominated in the Retail Category were Baskets in the Belfry; Gild the Lily, LLC; Kimberly’s Boutique and Pegasus Sports. In the Service Category nominees were Brieden Orthodontics; ChiroHealth Rockford; Hyer Luv Kennel & Groomers; Independent Bank Rockford; Kellermeier Plumbing, Inc.; United Bank of Michigan; and Young Insurance. In the Construction Category were DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen and Morris Builders, Inc.
In the Dining/Entertainment Category were Reds on the River; Rogue River Tavern; The Corner Bar and Timbers Inn Restaurant and Tavern.
The most prestigious category of Business of the Year nominees were CARSTAR of Rockford; D & W Fresh Market; Herman’s Boy, Inc. and Rockford Ambulance.
Winner of the Quality of Life Category was Wolverine World Wide YMCA. In the New Business Category, Nance-Martin Accounting Service took top honors. In Retail, Baskets in the Belfry won. In Service, Kellermeier Plumbing, Inc. took top honors. For Construction, Morris Builders, Inc. won. In Dining, Reds on the River was first and the highest honor of the evening went to D&W Fresh Market with Business of the Year.
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Pizza just part of the package at new restaurant
LIKED IT ALL—This group tried a little bit of everything at a pre-opening party Saturday, January 30. Pictured is Mike Chapin, Anthony Kline, Anthony Kline Jr., six months old, Tom Tjalsma and Mike Tjalsma.
Pizza Hut – WingStreet opens on Ten Mile
It makes Brian Cronkright crazy when he hears servers describe Pizza Hut – WingStreet’s beverage options described as Pepsi products. “There is so much on our beverage menu you wouldn’t expect,” the VP of Marketing for the company said of the newest restaurant to open in the area. He was on hand at Pizza Hut -WingStreet’s new location at 2745 Ten Mile (in front of the Rockford Meijer) prior to the restaurant’s opening on Monday, February 1.
Cronkright bragged up the beverage menu, Pepsi products, but much more, smoothies, floats and some things for adults only—from frozen, blended daiquiris, 22-degree beers, wine cocktails and specialty drinks. The restaurant opened with a full liquor license. There are seven large-screen televisions, seating for more than 100, and an impressive ten-page menu.
Philip Jackson, general manager, pictured with server Erin, holds the ten-page menu offered at the new Pizza Hut - Wing Street restaurant opened on Ten Mile Road
“When you add a new piece of equipment, it opens up what you can offer,” Cronkright said. He referred to the fryer brought in to offer the wings: traditional, breaded and boneless, but which allows the new eatery to expand from the pizza-based traditional offerings.
Diners may choose sides, such as the spinach artichoke dip, pizza, wings, Tuscani pastas, soups, salads, sandwiches or desserts. There are also kid’s meals and treats, including a gummy worm sundae. With easy access from US-31 and not far from downtown Rockford, the franchise location is prime. The possibility of a sports complex coming in across the street is just gravy, according to Cronkright. Over three quarters of a million dollars was invested in the restaurant, and 55 people were hired out of over 500 who applied.
Franchise owner Trigo Hospitality has been looking for a location in the Rockford area for about five years, and the newly-built mall was a perfect fit. The restaurant is open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. until midnight Friday and Saturday. Take-out is also available. The restaurant’s phone number is (616) 863-3311.
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