Kim Smith of Kimberly’s Boutique, Be Nice organizer Kristen Bloem and Candy Lancioni of Aunt Candy’s Toy Company are excited to bring the Be Nice campaign to Rockford.

During the month of February, Rockford local businesses will be partnering with the Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan (MHF) to spread the message of be nice. within the Rockford community. The be nice. campaign was initiated by the MHF in 2011 to create awareness surrounding the issues of bullying in schools, workplaces, and community-wide. Rockford community member, Kristen Bloem, became aware of the be nice. initiative when she attended an event for the Mental Health Foundation. Bloem states, “Just two simple words, I felt inspired to help and bring this Rockford.” With her help, Rockford businesses are jumping on the be nice. bandwagon by selling be nice. t-shirts, bumper stickers, and wristbands in their stores. First to jump on board are Kimberly’s Boutique and Aunt Candy’s Toy Company.  All proceeds from be nice. merchandise sold by Rockford local businesses will go toward bringing the be nice. Campaign as well as the Live Laugh Love Mental Health Education Program to Rockford schools.

Christy Buck, Executive Director, of the MHF started the Live Laugh Love Mental Health Education Program six years ago to combat the overwhelming statistic of high school students becoming victims of suicide in West Michigan. Buck reports that suicide is the second leading cause of death among high school students in Kent County. The Live Laugh Love curriculum is designed to educate adolescents about mental health illness, focusing on the themes of mental health stigma, the effects of bullying, recognizing signs of depression and anxiety, recognizing signs of suicide, and knowing how friends can help friends find help. Over the past six years the MHF has educated over 10,000 adolescents about mental health.

In its newest endeavor, the MHF is bringing the community together to increase awareness of treating people with civility community-wide by partnering with Rockford, Grandville, Grand Rapids, and East Grand Rapids to proclaim February 24 as be nice. day. Be nice. is more than just saying “don’t bully,” it is a strengths-based perspective and a positive way to minimize bullying in our schools and communities. It is also a proactive way to encourage kindness among kids, parents, coworkers, and community members.

By supporting the be nice. campaign, Rockford local businesses are showing their community how much they care about the growth and well-being of Rockford youth as well as their community as a whole. Community members can show their support of be nice. and their commitment to “being nice” by wearing a be nice. t-shirt or wristband and spreading awareness of the be nice. message.

Buck states, “It is important to be good role models in our communities by exemplifying behaviors that encourage kindness, respect, mindfulness, and civility so that our schools and communities are both safe and nurturing environments.” Whatever you call these positive behaviors, they all add up to being nice. The MHF is challenging Rockford schools, businesses, and residents to be nice. and support an initiative that will strengthen Rockford’s community.

Members of the Rockford Community Childrens Choir practice with Sounds of Sinatra’s Mark Randisi. Randisi and his big band with play at the Rockford High School Fine Arts Auditorium supported by the local talent of the Children’s Choir, the High School Jazz Band and more. Proceeds from the concert support the new Rockford Area Museum. See more information about the concert inside this week’s Squire.

With your help, coming soon to a courthouse near you – the new home of the Rockford Area Museum. Photo by CLIFF HILL

History is a living thing. It’s not only about the past, history is being made today and it will continue being made tomorrow and into the future. You may think history is boring and you may well have hated it in school but nevertheless, everyone plays a role in the making of history.

This article may be rather long and redundant but bear with us and see if you don’t identify yourself at some point in our narrative.

For many years the Rockford Historical Society has operated the Rockford Area Museum (RAM) in an overcrowded and inadequate antique of a building adjacent to the Rogue River Dam in downtown Rockford. The current RAM houses the past history of the greater Rockford community and because of its size and condition it is totally inadequate to the task.

One cannot turn around in the RAM without bumping into one’s self. It is so full of the artifacts of the area’s history that exhibits overflow into one another and cannot be separated to be adequately appreciated. Many large and important artifacts are out of sight and stored elsewhere. The RAM building lacks the simple necessities of running water and restrooms. Lacking air-conditioning, it is stifling in the summer. It is poorly lit making it difficult to discover the many treasures hidden within. The RAM, in this location, lacks adequate parking for volunteer staff and visitors. We could go on and on but you get the idea. The rhetorical question should be, can’t the Rockford community do better?

“Given what the volunteers of the Historical Society have had to work with these many years, they have done an absolutely wonderful job,” said Museum Consultant Gerard Adams, “but it’s time to take the RAM to the next level. What the RAM now has is an antique shop without prices. What the RAM needs is to provide visitors an ‘experience’ in history.” (Adams is a highly credentialed museum designer who at one point served as curator/collection manager at the Public Museum of Grand Rapids.)

Always harboring a desire to move the RAM to larger quarters, the Historical Society and its many supporters were afforded a one-year window of opportunity to relocate the RAM to the vacant Kent County 63rd District Court Building adjacent to Rockford City Hall. At the July Rockford City Council meeting in 2011, the Society was asked to raise upwards of $300,000 within a one-year time frame to make the move a reality.

Monies raised, along with in-kind services, would be necessary to renovate and update the somewhat neglected (by Kent County) interior of the Courthouse Building. New lighting, new flooring, new mechanicals (if necessary), etc., whatever it would take to bring the building up to Rockford standards. A portion of the raised funds would be set aside to insure ongoing sustainability after the new museum opens its doors.

The Historical Society would then be tasked with the design and creation of new displays, some interactive and changing monthly. It will appeal to the youth in all of us. For the first time, adequate space would be available to properly display the extensive collections of the RAM, many newly acquired.

The new RAM will have twice the display area of the old museum. It will be easily handicap accessible, as compared to the long ramp leading up to the narrow entrance and aisles of the current museum. It will have restrooms for both visitors and staff. It will have an office for museum staff. It will have storage space and a research area. And perhaps most important (for creature comfort), it will be air-conditioned and have the added plus of parking at its very front door along with additional parking at the rear of the building in the City’s Main St. parking lots.

The new RAM will, for the first time, keep regular hours. It will hire a part-time Museum Director who will be assisted by volunteers. It is hoped the new RAM will become a signature destination promoting the past, the future, and the excellence of the ENTIRE greater Rockford community. “It will be like no other museum anywhere in a town this size,” said Consultant Adams.

More than just the City of Rockford alone, it’s a Community effort

Raising $300,000 is a daunting task. From the git-go a few thought it impossible but RAM supporters are tenacious. Rockford Historical Society President Terry Konkle is now proud to say, “The Historical Society and its patrons, with 5 months left until the July 2012 Rockford City Council mandated deadline, have already secured donations (both monetary and in-kind) totaling half the required amount.”

“This does not mean we are home free,” said Konkle, adding, “We need to reach out to each and everyone in the entire 66,769 populace of the greater Rockford community, to reach our goal.”

The RAM is more than just the history of the City of Rockford and its peoples. It is the history of a community of peoples, with Rockford at its center, surrounded by the townships of Plainfield, Algoma, Courtland, and Canon. Many, if not most, identify Rockford as their hometown. It’s where they went to school. It’s where they’re employed. Faith based, it’s where they attend almost four-dozen churches. It’s where they play and shop and dine. It’s where they bring friends and relatives from out-of-town. It’s where they participate and attend annual events, festivals, and celebrations. It’s where they voted Rockford’s Farm Market – “America’s Favorite”. It’s where they volunteer their time, their talents, and their treasures to worthy causes. You get the idea. We are all – both the business community and individuals alike – part and parcel of the history of Rockford.

From its very beginnings as a little lumbering hamlet that grew up around a sawmill on the Rogue River then known as Laphamville, Rockford has also become home to a benevolent group of community minded businesses. One such company is Wolverine World Wide (WWW). The history of Rockford is entwined with the 1922 birth of Wolverine Shoe and Tanning Corporation, later to become known as Wolverine World Wide. Headquartered in Rockford, WWW is one of the largest and most prosperous shoe manufacturers in the world.

In Rockford’s more recent past one business, Herman’s Boy, is another example of business benevolence. The family–owned business is ever so proud of its history and loves to promote its home in Rockford as “one location world wide”.

For its part The Rockford Register, known today as the Rockford Squire, is Rockford’s oldest continually operating business. The first issue of the newspaper rolled off the presses on February 8, 1871. Soon to be 141 years old, the Squire has faithfully chronicled the lives and times of the Rockford area community. From the very beginning every single issue of the newspaper has been bound in annual books and presented to the Rockford Historical Society for placement in the museum. The Krause Memorial Library in downtown Rockford also has a microfiche file of every Squire issue. Indeed, the newspaper itself is a living breathing history of the area’s past.

Let’s git ‘er done

Rockford is envied throughout the state of Michigan for 4 things; its commitment to excellence, its reputation for getting things done against insurmountable odds, the all abiding generosity of its peoples, and most importantly, as Rockford Schools Superintendent Dr. Michael Shibler always likes to say, “The greatest asset to Rockford is its people.”

“It takes a village” and the Rockford Historical Society is reaching out to the community to fulfill “their impossible dream”. The dream of having a new home for the Rockford Area Museum, a home we can all be proud of.

You can own a piece of that dream. Donations, both small and large, are being accepted. Be it a buck or a $gazillion, all contributions are greatly appreciated. Konkle smiled when he told us, “Nobody’s checked the $gazillion box on the RAM donation pamphlet as yet but hope springs eternal!”

Tax exempt donations may be remitted to: Rockford Area Community Endowment, ATTN: Rockford Area Museum, P.O. Box 781, Rockford, MI 49341-0561 or contact Terry Konkle at 866-0530 for more information.

(**Reporters Note: At the annual January Meeting of the Membership of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce, during a segment called “The year (2011) in review”, the best newspaper headline of the past year was announced. On the front page of an August edition of the Squire was a blaring headline: “Market contest ending, please VOTE! …even if you’ve never been to farm market or hate vegetables”.

So it only follows that – “Please DONATE to the RAM, even if you’ve never been to the Rockford Area Museum, or you hate old things.” Dig deep ladies and gentlemen, with the entire community’s support, Rockford won the America’s Favorite Farmers Market contest and it certainly deserves the best small city museum in America!)

Terry Konkle Photo by Cliff Hill

My writing this week will be devoted mostly

to sharing some information about the history of the Rockford area. I call this a “Did YouKnow” column.

Did you know:

• Smith Laphams’ daughter, Amy Ann, was Rockford’s first school teacher.

• Fremont Street was named after John Fremont who was the Republican presidential candidate in 1856. His running mate as vice president was William Dayton, and Dayton Street is named for him. Fremont lost to James Buchanan.

• In 1869, Rockford built a new three-story brick school building by bonding the district for $20,000. The school housed all grade levels most of the time for many years before being destroyed by fire in February 1922.

• A new school, with all rooms on one floor andhousing all grades of Rocford students from 1923 to 1954, was built on North Main Street.

• Parkside Elementary School was built to ease the overcrowding of the school on North Main by moving the lower grades out of the building to the new location on Lewis Street.

• The coming of the railroad to our town caused a name change from Laphamville to Rockford, because railroad officials wanted a different name.

• A major fire in April 1878 destroyed several Rockford downtown buildings.

• Another fire in December 1883 demolished about 75 percent of the Rockford downtown businesses about 10 days before Christmas.

• A third fire in April 1896 burned out businesses on the block between Bridge and Courtland streets on the east side of Main Street.

• Many of the brick buildings that are now (2012) on the east side of Main Street between Bridge and Courtland were built after the fire of 1896. The Hessler Opera House is one of them. So is the building housing the Rogue River Tavern.

Let’s conclude this section with a trivia question. If you know the correct answer, contact me at (616) 866-0530 or The Rockford Squire at (616) 866-4465. Each correct responder will receive a surprise gift that can be picked up at the Squire office.

The trivia question is: “In 1910, what was the tallest building in Rockford?”

Finally, please consider supporting our project

of moving the museum. Donations can be sent to: Rockford Area Historical Society, PO Box 781, Rockford, MI 49341. Thanks for your help with this positive endeavor.

Bob and Gail Stegmier showing off their Squire Newpaper to all.

Gail and Bob Stegmier visited the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge in Sanibel Island, Florida. Bob attended an Izaak Walton League directors meeting in Fort Myers and decided to extend their Florida stay on Sanibel Island to visit the beach, swim in 84 degree pool water and for time to visit the wildlife refuge. They saw many birds, from the Roseate Spoonbill to the little Sanderlings. Oh yes, an alligator or three.

Gail and Bob’s were accompanied by their daughter and her husband Kathy and Jack Crother. They even brought some sunshine home in a jar as was requested by many.

Chandler Woods Charter Academy students reading their favorite books.

Chandler Woods Charter Academy students were thrilled to kick off 2012 with a healthy, educational activity, so they celebrated the new year by curling up in their slippers with their favorite stuffed animals and comfy pillows for 2,012 seconds (approximately 34 minutes) of reading. The Young Five’s fifth-grade students (pictured) lined Chandler Woods’ hallways and gymnasium as they indulged in their favorite books for this school-wide silent reading activity.

Pencil Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012 onto your calendar, because the Rockford American Legion has just the antidote. Cabin Fever 2012, the annual “put on your favorite beachwear, get out of your house, dance and party all night” party is shaping up to be the best one yet.

In its third year, Cabin Fever is this year featuring one of Grand Rapids’ most talented, innovative and high-energy bands, The Outer Vibe. Winners of numerous band contests, a headlining act around the state and having played with the likes of REO Speedwagon, Starship, Brian Vander Ark, and Mustard Plug, The Outer Vibe is sure to give Old Man Winter a swift kick aside and make sure your winter blues are chased away—at least for this one night.

“We’re so fortunate that The Outer Vibe was able to fit us into their busy schedule,” said Terri Kettelhut, club manager for the Rockford American Legion. “This is their second appearance here. They played at our annual Halloween party in 2010 and packed the place!”

Kettelhut emphasized that the Rockford American Legion will be open to the public, doors will open at 7 p.m., and it is an “over 21” event lasting until midnight. As is always the case with this event, proceeds will be used to promote ongoing veterans’ activities.

Tickets are $15, and are available in the Legion lounge, by phone with a credit card and, if there are any remaining, at the door the night of the party. There are only 250 tickets available, so get yours today. The Rockford American legion is located at 330 Rockford Park Drive, on Northland Drive between 11 Mile and 12 Mile roads. You can reach the Rockford American Legion at (616) 866-2001.

Roger Allen, publisher. “Rockford is the Humor Capital of the World”

Recently a Supreme Court opinion reversed the conviction of a drug dealer because of how he’d been caught: law officials had planted a GPS on his car. His privacy was violated, said the Court.

Our Constitution has a clause that protects our privacy. The Supreme Court has the duty to observe our Constitution, but I think it has a higher duty. The Constitution was adopted to protect the citizens of these United States. Letting a drug dealer go free on a legal technicality does not seem to protect the public.

Employment department

Just out of high school, Darla applied for her first job. When she returned home her mother asked how the interview went.

“Pretty good, I think,” said Darla, “but if I go to work there I won’t get a vacation until after I’m married.”

Her mother had never heard of such a thing. “Is that what they told you?”

“I saw it right on the application,” replied Darla. “‘Vacation time may not be taken until you’ve had your first anniversary’.”

Marriage department

A man and his wife are vacationing in the Middle East. A local approaches the husband and says, “I’ll give you 100 camels for your woman.”

After a long silence, the husband says, “She’s not for sale.”

The indignant wife says, “What took you so long to answer?”

The husband replies, “I was trying to figure out how to get 100 camels back home.”

Sex department

A six-year-old girl asks, “Daddy, what is sex?”

The father reckons that if she’s old enough to ask the question then she’s old enough for a straight answer. So he delivers the whole explanation about the birds and the bees. The girl is wide-eyed in disbelief.

“By the way, why do you ask?” says the dad.

The girl replies, “Mommy told me to tell you that dinner would be ready in just a couple of secs.”

Sex department, cont.

A little boy, returning home from his first day at school, says, “Mom, what’s sex?”

His mother believed in modern educational theories, so she gives him a detailed explanation that covers all aspects of the subject.

When she finishes, the boy produces an enrollment form that he’d brought home from school and says, “Yes, but how am I going to get all that into this one little square?”

Computer department

Stephanie decided to introduce her elderly mother to the magic of the Internet. Her first move was to access Google and tell her mom it could answer any question she had. Stephanie’s mother was skeptical.

“It’s true, Mom. Think of something to ask it,” she said, with fingers poised over the keyboard.

Stephanie’s mother thought a minute, then responded, “How is Aunt Helen feeling?”

Employment department again

Today is Groundhog Day but we’ll never know about his shadow. Word has it that the groundhog has been laid off. It’s not easy to find work even with experience. Hope to see him next year.