On June 16, John Milton Clay, 58, of Rockford was fatally injured when his southbound 2002 Ford F150 pickup truck hit a tree lying across Pettis Avenue in Ada Township. Responding to the crash were the Kent County Sheriff’s Department, Ada Fire Department, and AMR Ambulance.

Grattan Township to hold cleanup day

Grattan Township is holding a township cleanup day for township residents on July 17 from 8 a.m. to noon at 12050 Old Belding Road. Some items will cost money to drop off. Batteries are $1 each. Appliances without Freon are $3 each, and appliances with Freon are $15 each. Tires must be cut into four pieces. Fuel and propane tanks must be cut in half. Fencing must be folded. There are no liquids, brush-offs, cement, loose trash or shovel-offs allowed. All trash must be contained.

The Department of Natural Resources and Environment reminds everyone that the summer Free Fishing Weekend is scheduled for June 12-13. On Saturday and Sunday, everyone—residents and non-residents—can fish without a fishing license in Michigan. All other fishing regulations apply. Numerous Free Fishing Weekend activities are scheduled at state parks and fish hatcheries to coincide with the weekend, while sporting clubs and conservation groups state events as well. Free Fishing Weekend activities offer novices the opportunity to learn from experienced anglers and learn about the joys of fishing. For a list of Free Fishing Weekend activities across the state, visit www.michigan.gov/freefishing.

The Wolverine World Wide Family YMCA is pleased to announce Kevin Myers as the new associate executive director effective June 1, 2010.

Myers started working at the West YMCA in 2001, running sports programs for kids part time. He was then transitioned to the David D. Hunting YMCA, where he continued running programs part time. In 2003, with the grand opening of the Wolverine World Wide (WWW) Family YMCA, Myers was promoted to full time as the senior program director and has held this position ever since.

During his time as the senior program director, Myers has made huge contributions that have helped the WWW Family YMCA and the YMCA Association grow in the development of programs and operations. His leadership has been an important piece of the success the WWW Family YMCA has experienced this fiscal year. The YMCA is confident he will continue to be a great asset as the associate executive director this upcoming fiscal year.

For information on employment at the YMCA go to www.grymca.org.

Discover the pretty wildflowers and cool plants (55 kinds!) that grow at Howard Christensen Nature Center with interpretive instructor Kare Greenup at the center’s “I Spy Cool Plants” program on May 8, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Learn about what animals and people do with these plants—fun and exercise for the whole family.

Cost is $3 per person or $10 per family. To reserve your spot, please contact the Nature Center at (616) 675-3185 or hcnc@kentconservation.org. Howard Christensen Nature Center is located at 16190 Red Pine Dr., Kent City.

The Michigan Water Quality Association announced recently that Terry Bayes of Bayes Water Treatment in Sparta has been elected their Association president for 2010. For more information about the Association, visit their website at miwqa.org.

Seminar explores vaccinations myths, truths

Independent vaccination researcher Mary Tocco will be the speaker at a seminar featuring a variety of questions regarding vaccinations and immunity. The seminar will be held Thursday, April 29, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Rockford American Legion, Merritt Lamb Post, 330 Rockford Park Drive, NE.

Topics covered:

Do vaccines cause autism?

Is the H1N1 a safe flu vaccine?

Should pregnant mothers get vaccines?

Do you have a choice?

Vaccine Ingredients & Production

Natural Immunity

Gardasil and our teenage daughters

Micro-Vascular Strokes

Abortion and vaccines

Mary Tocco has been an independent vaccination researcher for over 30 years. She is currently on the boards of the American Chiropractic Autism Board (ACAB) and the World Association for Vaccine Education (WAVE), she is the Director of Vaccine Research and Education for Michigan Opposing Mandatory Vaccines, and is helping to manage Hope for Autism (HFA).  Mary is also an “Ask the Expert” columnist for Mothering Magazine.

Mary’s mission is to reach parents through any means necessary to help them make informed vaccination decisions.  She believes parents need to know their healthcare options, promoting health without toxic medications and drugs.

Mary’s goals include empowering and encouraging parents to learn how the human body was meant to develop and function so they do not live in fear of infectious diseases, to study unvaccinated children to compare them with their vaccinated peers and to organize multi disciplinary treatment centers for those injured by vaccines.  Visit www.childhoodshots.comw for more information.

Wolverine World Wide, Inc. (NYSE: WWW) announced that its Board of Directors approved a new share repurchase program at its regularly scheduled meeting February 11, 2010, authorizing up to $200 million in share repurchases. The share repurchases are to be made over a four-year period at times and amounts deemed appropriate by the Company, based on a variety of factors including price and market conditions. Over the last ten years, the Company has returned over $450 million to its shareholders through previously approved repurchase programs.

In addition, the Company announced that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.11 per share of common stock. The dividend is payable on May 3, 2010 to stockholders of record on April 1, 2010.

“Our continued active stock buyback program and dividend payout underscore the confidence we have in our business model, which is based on a portfolio of vibrant and dynamic global lifestyle brands,” said Blake W. Krueger, Chairman and CEO. “Even in challenging economic conditions, we continue to consistently generate solid operating results and significant cash flow. This financial strength and flexibility permits the Company to invest in new business initiatives, such as the Cushe and Chaco brands that we acquired last year, while continuing periodic share repurchases and paying quarterly dividends to our shareholders. These announcements illustrate our confidence in the long-term growth prospects of the Company and our commitment to return capital to our shareholders.”

The City of Rockford will be conducting the bi-annual Hydrant Flushing and Maintenance Program beginning April 12, 2010. This process will be completed by April 30, 2010. During this time you may notice an occasional decrease in water pressure and possibly some slight cloudiness in the water. Most residents will see no change in their water supply. If you should notice a change in the appearance of your water, merely let the water run until it clears, usually within several minutes.

There is no cause for concern with respect to the safety of your water supply, and the City performs this service twice a year to maintain a safe, reliable and abundant supply of water for its residents. This program also ensures that the fire hydrants in the City are operating correctly and available for use in an emergency.

Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact Dennis Brinks at the City of Rockford at (616) 866-0560.

Huntington National Bank named SBA Lender of the Year

The U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Michigan District Office presented its fiscal 2009 lender awards at the 12th Annual Michigan SBA Lenders’ Conference held in Lansing recently. Huntington National Bank was named Michigan Lender of the Year, SBA’s award for the best overall performance. Huntington National Bank approved 184 SBA loans worth more than $24 million in fiscal 2009.

“Although it was difficult to select only one lender, Huntington National Bank did a very good job of marketing our loan programs in a difficult year,” said Richard Temkin, SBA Michigan District Director. “In addition to also being our SBAExpress Lender of the Year, it was a contender for several other awards.”

In fiscal 2009, the Michigan District Office guaranteed 1,285 loans worth more than $312 million. Over the past five years, SBA has provided guaranties on 13,615 loans worth almost $2.4 billion to small businesses in Michigan. For more information, please call the Michigan District Office at (313) 226-6075 x225 or visit www.sba.gov.

From 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Wednesday March 31, the Rockford Fire Department will be teaming up with the Webelos Scouts of Cub Scout Pack 3282 to distribute free smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms.

Scouts will be going door to door on Main Street and will also be at the fire station, 7 South Monroe Street, for people that want to stop by and pick an alarm up.

In 2001, according to the National Fire Protection Association, 3,100 persons were killed by fire in the US and fire caused $5.5 billion in property damage. 85% of the deaths occurred in residences. Smoke detectors, if properly installed and maintained, can greatly reduce these risks.

Carbon monoxide is a colorless odorless gas that is poisonous. It is produced by appliances that use natural gas, and anything that burns fuel, including wood. It is responsible for 1,500 deaths in the US each year. Having a carbon monoxide detector on every floor of your house can alert you to dangerous levels of carbon monoxide from a malfunctioning appliance.

Local agent earns statewide sales honor

Jim Abplanalp, a local agent for Farm Bureau Insurance in Comstock Park, was honored for his sales and service to clients during 2009 at the recent Multi-Line Marketing Convention held in Traverse City February 25-27.

Abplanalp, who earned two awards, was recognized by Farm Bureau Insurance’s Executive Vice President Jim Robinson, CLU, FLMI, LLIF.

Robinson said, “We are very proud to have agents of Jim Abplanalp’s caliber representing us and helping their clients. Jim Abplanalp is a trusted advisor for clients, building relationships based on trust, expertise, and a caring attitude.”

Farm Bureau Insurance, one of the state’s major insurers, has a statewide field force of 450 agents, serving more than 450,000 policyholders.

The Rockford Lions enjoyed a change of taste recently with their first-ever chili cook-off.

Pictured are (l–r) left to right John O”Dowd (best chili), President Dianna Robach-VanAntwerp, and Chairperson Warren Sibilla.

The chili cook-off was held at the American Legion on Thursday, March 1.  It was open to other Lion clubs in our district and attendance was about 125 hungry Lions.  

This fundraiser was a great success and a good time was had by all. Next year the Rockford Lions will open this event up to other Lion Clubs for the best tasting chili. 

Regular monthly meetings are held at the Community Cabin on the second and fourth Thursday starting at 6 p.m.

The Rockford Garden Club 2010 Scholarship is available to high school seniors planning to study horticulture, landscape architecture, environmental sciences or related fields. It is a $500 scholarship that will be awarded to a student attending college in the fall of 2010. Applications are available at the Rockford High School guidance office or by contacting Shelley Plambeck, scholarship chairman, at (616) 874-3196. Deadline is March 31, 2010.

District urges–plant a tree!

The Conservation District of Kent County is holding its bi-annual tree sale, with orders due on April 2, 2010. The catalog is available for download on their website at www.kentconservation.org, and includes many native Michigan trees and shrubs like spicebush, redbud and dogwoods. Pick-up dates will be April 16 and 17.

Support our Conservation District by planting a tree (or a hundred!) on Earth Day, April 22. Please call our office at (616) 942-4111 ext. 100 for further information.

YMCA to host diversity dinner, activities

Continuing a tradition going on nearly a decade, the Rockford Diversity committee invites the public to another fun day at the Wolverine World Wide YMCA in Belmont on Saturday, March 13. Beginning at 5 p.m., the YMCA, 6555 Jupiter Road, will again graciously allow free access to all facilities including the rock-climbing wall, basketball courts and swimming pool. There will also be a craft-making opportunity for younger kids.

As always, everyone is encouraged to bring a dish reflecting their own heritage to share at the potluck dinner which begins at 6:15 p.m. Beverages, utensils and tableware will be provided. For those uncomfortable cooking for a crowd, bring a store-bought item or come without and enjoy the wide array of different food.

To provide a better understanding of the diverse cultures in and around our community, the committee has invited Martha Gonzalez-Cortes to kick off interactive discussions and activities for guests of all ages during and after dinner.

The members of the Rockford Diversity committee believe that it is difficult to find opportunities for families in the Rockford area to interact with people from other cultures. That is why they are hoping everyone will take advantage of this free and fun family event. For more details, call Diane Karasiewicz at (616) 863-6556. Online registration is encouraged, but may be done at the door. For directions or to register online, visit www.grymca.org/wolverine/news.cfm.