GO RAMS!—Your Rockford merchants are behind you 100 percent. A new Community Unity card will allow 10 percent of a sale to go to the Rockford Sports Boosters three times a year. Pictured are Community Unity organizers Polly VonEschen, Meredith Gremel and Barb Stein.

by BETH ALTENA

Buy a better product and put money into Rockford Public Schools sports programs. Downtown merchants have formed a new partnership with Rockford Sports Boosters. The program keeps the dollars spent for sports fundraising local, offers better products (those offered here in town) and might keep kids from selling door to door.

Barb Stein of Great Northern Trading Company is one of the organizers of the partnership, called Community Unity.

Three times a year shoppers will be able to present a Community Unity card when making a purchase with a participating merchant. That merchant will then donate ten percent of that sale to the Sports Boosters. Other non-profits are invited to participate in the future.

Stein is a real expert in the retail field as a long-time Rockford merchant and chair-elect of the Michigan Retailers Association. She believes in the value of product and fair pricing local shops offer.

The idea came when Polly VonEschen of Baskets in the Belfry was thinking about the items fundraising groups typically offer. Usually they are catalog items that you aren’t able to see or sample before purchase.

She knows Rockford has better wares to offer, and supporting sports boosters from the stores should please parents, as well.

“As parents, we buy the products ourselves because we don’t want our children going door-to-door, or we take it to work,” Stein said. The plan has the advantage of keeping local dollars within our community. “When you buy from a catalog, certainly none of that money stays local,” Stein said.

Now more than ever consumers are realizing the importance of shopping locally. An article from ambia, the American Independent Business Alliance, discussed findings of the impact of money spent at local, independently-owned businesses compared to corporate chains.

“Dollars spent at community-based merchants create a multiplier effect in the local economy, that, by most findings, typically amounts to three times that of a chain,” the article stated.

A 2003 economic study showed that, of the money spent at a chain, $13 stayed in the community compared to $45 remaining when spent at a local shop or business.

“It is really, really important now to shop locally, Stein said. It is also important to support sports programs in a town like Rockford, especially when some families are struggling more than ever. “We can do this because we are a very generous community,” Stein stated.

The first of three-a-year times to present the Community Unity card is now, April 15 to 30. The card can be cut out of this paper (page 11) downloaded from the Squire website  at rockfordsquire.com or is available at participating businesses.

Download your Community Unity ID Card (pdf)

The next fundraising period will be October 15 to 31 and then January 15 to 31. As the program grows, more merchants should join.

Sue Arend (R) REF Administrator and Rockford High School senior Shelby Jacobs (L) announce the “Selling of the Sod” event. Jacobs is currently serving as a RHS Co-operative Intern with the REF under the mentorship of Arend.

Buy your own piece of Ted sod

by Cliff and Nancy Hill

It’s spring and miraculously the downtown sidewalks have sprouted pairs of big green footprints.  What’s up with the feet? 

Turns out that the Rockford Education Foundation (REF) in a joint venture with the Rockford’s Football and Band Boosters had the feet placed on sidewalks and storefronts to promote their upcoming “Tiptoe Through The Ted – Selling the Sod” event. 

Weather permitting, the undertaking of the removal of the grass turf at the Rockford High School Football Stadium (aka ‘The Ted’) will begin on May 4.  During the weeks following, the grass surface will be replaced with one of the latest generations of synthetic turf. 

This taking of ‘The Ted’ to a new level provides the REF and the Boosters a great new opportunity to raise money in support of their good works. 

Rain or shine, on Saturday, May 2, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., everyone will be afforded the opportunity to buy a piece of Rockford history.  During the free midday event square yards (18 inches by 72 inches) of the removed sod will be available for $10 per yard.  Small potted versions will also be available.  By buying a chunk of the sod you can create your own little patch of ‘The Ted’ in your yard.  Imagine the possibilities!  Whether purchasing sod or not, everyone is invited to four hours of live music and games.  Picnic on the field, if you like.  There will be something for everyone.  

The Sports Boosters will have food concessions stands.  The High School Band will make an appearance.  There will be stage performances by local students, some of who are REF grant recipients.  Zumba and Parisi demonstrations are scheduled.  Other possibilities include; face painting, relay races, and football passing contests.  Many more fun activities are planned, too many to name.  In case of rain, the event will be moved inside to the Rockford High School gymnasium. 

Aside from the sod sale the purpose of the event is to celebrate the role ‘The Ted’ has played in the lives of all in our Rockford community.

The installation of artificial turf was made possible as a result of school district voters saying “yes” to a mileage renewal during last May’s School Board election.  “The mileage replaced funds scheduled to expire and resulted in a zero net increase to taxpayers,” said Rockford School Superintendent Michael Shibler, at the time.  Shibler had championed the proposal prior to the election saying, “The installation of artificial turf on the varsity football field would allow more and varied activities to take place.”

“We are community recreation in Rockford,” Shibler said, adding, “The installation of artificial turf on the varsity football field would allow opportunities for hundreds more kids.” 

A San Francisco Parks and Recreation study in 2005 supported Shibler’s position in concluding the following:

• Artificial turf playing fields are long-term cost effective with a life expectancy of 10 to 15 years. They recover, on average, their initial high installation costs in 7 to 10 years.
• Synthetic fields virtually double the number of hours a field can be used.
• Artificial turf fields are available for use in all manner of inclement weather, unlike natural fields.
• New generation synthetic fields significantly reduce operating costs because they require much less labor and materials to maintain.
• Unlike their natural turf counterparts, they do not require the imposition of a time limit on the amount of play or use allowed in order to protect the quality of the field.
• New generation synthetic fields have a superior quality-playing surface.  The flatness and uniformity of the new synthetic fields produces venues that provide better and safer recreational opportunities for all varieties of ground sports.
• Artificial turf will open the venue to more and newer usage resulting in increased revenue (from ticket fees and concessions at athletic events or band competitions, to name two of many possibilities).

So don’t fail to attend this once-in-a-lifetime event on Saturday, May 2, by following the footprints to the ‘The Ted.’

For more information call the REF at (616) 863-6317.

Now, the rest of the story

For the uninitiated who have always wondered, how did ‘The Ted’ come by its name – here’s the rest of the story as told to us by Ted’s son, Dave Carlson.

When an extended family Carlson emigrated from Sweden in the late 1800′s, half settled in Sister Bay, Dorr County, Wisconsin and the other half settled in the Rockford vicinity.  During the ensuing years, the Rockford Carlson’s extolled the virtues of Rockford’s Schools to their relatives across the Lake.  (Even then Rockford excelled in educating its children.)  For one thing, Sister Bay did not have a high school and Rockford did. 

So it came to pass that one of the Dorr County Carlson family’s moved to Rockford in 1910 so the oldest sibling of the family’s children could attend high school.  The youngest sibling was a two-year old boy named Ted.  If ever a move was meant to be, it was more so for Ted Carlson.   

Ted grew up loving all things Rockford.  He graduated from Rockford High School in 1927 and briefly spent time at Michigan State University.  Impatient to strike out on his own, he entered the working world, married and had a family and eventually owned a factory in Wixom, Michigan that manufactured travel trailer water heaters.  Even though the plant was on the other side of the state, Ted commuted back and forth from the plant in Wixom to his home and family in Rockford.

Good financial fortune smiled on Ted and at the early age of 55 he was able to sell the plant and retire from the working world to devote the rest of his life to his beloved Rockford.  It was a unique time in a workingman’s town where everyone knew you and you knew everyone. Never having forgotten his own years at Rockford High School, Ted devoted the remaining 28 years of his life immersed in all things athletic at Rockford High School.  He may well have been Rockford’s first “Super Fan.”

From attending every practice and sporting event possible, to throwing out the first pitch at each season’s first baseball game, to being the first person elected to the Rockford Hall of Fame, Ted Carlson became affectionately known as “Mr. Rockford.” 

Son Dave Carlson, owner of Woodland Travel Center on Plainfield, tells us, “My father was more well known by the athletes and the kids in the stands than the High School Principal himself.  He could be seen always proudly wearing the Varsity Jacket that had been embroidered “Coach Carlson” and presented by his close friend Harv DeGood.”

Ted passed away at age 83 in 1991.  Through his adult years he had also found the time to serve 20 years as a Rockford School Board Member.

 In 1992 the current Rockford High School and its adjacent stadium were completed.  It was an easy decision for the then School Board to honor the memory of Ted by naming the new stadium the ‘Ted Carlson Memorial Stadium.’ In doing so they recognized a man who had been a fixture, a part of the fabric of the community.  According to son Dave, it is the only thing in the Rockford School System to be named after a person.  Thenceforth it has come to be known by countless athletes and students simply as ‘The Ted.’

As our interview with Dave Carlson ended, he told us of the speech his father made after being elected to the Rockford Hall of Fame.  Quoting from that speech Ted said, “I love Rockford.  I always have.  I always will.” 

At the dedication of the Rockford High School Stadium, Dave added this footnote to his father’s speech, “It was obvious Rockford loved Ted, too.”

Squire reporters Cliff and Nancy Hill seated alongside Chef Glenn while being served their recipe contest entry.

by CLIFF AND NANCY HILL

along with MEREDITH GREMEL

When in January we heard of the Reds on the River first ever recipe contest we figured, “What the heck, why not enter?” After all, your reporters are graduates of Chef Robin Toldo’s cooking classes offered yearly through Rockford Community Services, a service of Rockford Public Schools.

Reds was seeking an appetizer recipe to be featured, along with the contest winner’s name, on their newly created small plate restaurant menu. What an honor that would be.

We forwarded our entry to Executive Chef/General Manager, Glenn Forgie, and awaited Reds’ response.

In March, we were contacted by Meredith Gremel, Reds’ Publicist, and told that Chef Glenn was, “happy to inform you that you have been chosen as a semi-finalist out of 15 other contest entrants.”

We then moved on to the next phase of the contest. We were invited to demonstrate our recipe in the kitchen of Reds on Saturday, March 28. Each of the six semi-finalists was allotted one of six half-hour time slots beginning at 9 a.m. and ending at 11:30 a.m. to demonstrate and prepare their recipe.

We chose the 10 a.m. time slot for our recipe demonstration and found ourselves in an already bustling kitchen, even though the restaurant would not open for another two hours. This was not just any kitchen but the spotless state-of-the-art kitchen of Reds on the River. Every day this kitchen serves up award-winning cuisine prepared absolutely from scratch. (Talk about pressure, we were like school kids taking an oral final exam while at the same time trying not to cut our fingers off.)

We named our entry “German Wurstchen Biss Wraps” (wurstchen is German for a small sausage or wiener and biss means small portion).  As an appetizer it is as delicious as it is simple to prepare. Consisting of just three ingredients; thin triangles of pastry dough, old-fashioned, coarse-cut all-meat German-style wieners with no added fillers, and mustard for dipping. The wieners, cut into thirds, wrapped in dough and baked are to die for when dipped while piping hot into mustard. Our favorite is Beer’n Brat Horseradish Mustard. The choice is yours. The main ingredient is not just any wiener but Wimmers Old Fashioned Wieners available locally at Herman’s Boy. These are the same wieners used in the Herman’s Boy famous and best selling Bagel Dogs. The wieners were our secret ingredient and now everyone knows.

Hot out of the oven, we garnished and plated our creation that was whisked into the dining area for a tasting by Chef Glenn. Seated alongside Chef, we were peppered with questions about ingredients, preparation, and presentation. Water was served with the sampling (we ourselves would have preferred something a bit stronger).

The next contestant was already busy in the kitchen preparing their entry as we left the restaurant optimistic that we might, after all, have a shot at culinary fame.

Such was not to be the case however. On Wednesday, April 8 we were notified that the judging team, consisting of Executive Chef Glenn, Line Chef Michael Farrell, Sous Chef Scott Pershbacher, and Meredith Gremel, had chosen…the winner.  Gremel tells us, “It was not at all an easy decision to make.” She went on to say, “Clearly we have many talented chefs living in West Michigan. Our team at Reds appreciates their efforts and we enjoyed getting to know each of them.”

Chosen was Gary Saulter who served up “Goat Cheese Stuffed Shrimp” along with sautéed spinach over angel hair pasta. The winning recipe has our mouths watering. We are nothing if not gracious losers and heartily congratulate Saulter. We can’t wait to try his creation when it is added to the small plate menu at Reds.

BON APPETITE—Winner Gary Saulter (left) and his guest Diane Kniowski enjoy the winning dish with Reds’ Executive Chef, Glenn Forgie.

Gremel tells us, “The contest was such a huge success that Reds will offer it on a seasonal basis. We plan to hold an annual cook-off with all four seasonal winners.  Additionally, each contest winner’s photo and recipe will be posted at Reds during the season in which they won and all four will be invited to a special dinner at Reds prepared by Chef Glenn. We will replace our current winner with our next recipe winner in July.”

Entrants are encouraged to enter their recipe for a summer appetizer featuring local fresh ingredients that will be served from July through September. Recipes must be submitted to Chefglenn@reds-live.com no later than June 1st.

We’re thinking this time around we’ll offer ourselves up as tasters!

THE APPRAISAL PLEASE—Charles Tearle, a Roadshow clock and watch appraiser, gives Squire reporter, Nancy Hill, the low-down on her great-great grandfather’s solid gold pocket watch.

by CLIFF AND NANCY HILL

Stand aside Dancing With The Stars.  For the next three consecutive Monday nights (April 20, 27, and May 4), during the time slot of the hugely popular ABC network dance show, West Michigan television viewers will have their sets tuned to WGVU Public Television’s most popular show, The Antiques Roadshow. 

Readers will recall The Squire’s coverage of the first ever visit of the Antiques Roadshow to Grand Rapids, MI, August 9 of last year. The Rockford Squire was there to cover that event.  Judy Matthews, the show’s Senior Publicist, said at the time, “We have received an overwhelming response in Grand Rapids. 27,000 tickets were requested for the event, a record number unsurpassed by any city in the Roadshow’s history.” 

In a random drawing 3,400 lucky people had each received two free tickets to the DeVos Place event. Also holding tickets were a limited number of people who had made a minimum $200 donation to WGVU Public Television to receive just one ticket. Each ticket holder was asked to bring no more than two of his or her “treasures” for appraisal. But somehow that limit was exceeded Matthews related saying, “By the end of the show the 70 appraisers on hand had looked at between14,000 to 20,000 items (another record).”

Recently, The Squire was fortunate enough to receive a Press Preview CD (screener) of the upcoming three Grand Rapids episodes in their entirety.  With a bowl of popcorn between us, your reporters sat down one recent evening to prescreen the three one-hour segments. 

Your reporters are avid Antiques Roadshow viewers and what we were struck by, and what viewers should watch for, was what seemed to us an unusually high-average value placed on the individual on-air appraisals. Grand Rapids must be a treasure trove of antiques, many hidden away in attics, basements and garages. Those lucky enough to have their items appraised on-air exhibited genuine West Michigan appreciation and outright enthusiasm. 

We won’t disclose our favorite appraisals or the segments they are in, but here are three examples that really raised our eyebrows. An 1881 Jasper Cropsey oil painting depicting the Hudson River Valley was appraised at $300,000.  A 1905 pair of Carl Faberge cufflinks converted later to earrings was appraised at $40,000 to $50,000.  And, if you can believe it – of all things, an extremely rare cold air return/register designed and installed by Tiffany Glass and Decorating Co. valued at upwards of $50,000.  The owner of this last item stood there after the appraisal and said in a stunned voice, “Really?! Really?! Really?!”  Throughout the three segments the most common response heard was, “Unbelievable!” As with all Roadshow programs, we found the history/provenance of appraised items just as compelling as the values learned.

Each of the three Grand Rapids episodes paid a visit to an area antique venue. One was the Grand Rapids Public Museum that displays a huge collection of Grand Rapids made furniture. Another was the Gilmore Car Museum where highly collectable antique hood ornaments were featured. And finally, Dutch Blue Delft Pottery was highlighted at the Holland Museum.

We won’t say if we were able to identify anyone we personally know, but as you watch the three Grand Rapids’ Roadshow episodes see if you can single out anyone you recognize. While we were at the event last August, we did spot Rockford Mayor Janice (Chi-Chi) Rogers pulling a treasure-laden wagon to assigned category appraisal stations. (Yes, she had exceeded the two-item limit, we won’t say by how many!) Also spotted was Rockford’s Sally Charnley, of Burlap N’ Rags fame, waiting for an appraisal of Great-Great-Great Uncle Abel Bowen’s woodcuttings.

Erika Denn, Antiques Roadshow Account Executive, tells us the Grand Rapids’ Roadshow episodes will not disappoint as each revels new hidden treasures from West Michigan.  We heartily agree.

GR’s Antiques Roadshow will air at 8 p.m. on three consecutive Monday nights, beginning April 20 on Public Television’s WGVU.

Dear Editor,

Thanks again for the support you are giving to promote my family fun day. I know that my event would not be as successful if generous groups like the Squire did not help me.

I did notice a correction opportunity to the article this week. The article described the cost of a “poker hand” as a minimum donation of $25. The actual cost on the day of the event of a single hand is only $10 and a family pack which you describe is $30 (which include 4 poker hands and the various gift certificates). The $25 donation described in the flyer was for pre-registration via the web site which includes a gift to the participant of a t-shirt and one additional poker hand on the day of the event. I apologize for any confusion I created by having so many options for donation. As always, I am trying to create a win-win for my charity and the participants.

I was blown away to see the picture of Scott and I on the front page this week and feel blessed to have a community of people like yourself to help me make a contribution to finding a cure for diabetes!

Chris Radford

Earth Day event will feature over 30 green organizations

Yes, being green has definitely caught on. Manufacturers, architects, and businesses of all kinds have found ingenious ways to conserve and preserve. But how about every day family households that want to help? What can they do that’s affordable, simple and saves? Party for the Planet at John Ball Zoo is the place to find out. The event will take place on Saturday, April 18, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Over thirty West Michigan organizations will be attending Party for the Planet and each will offer something unique. There will be seedling give-aways, games, entertainment, science experiments, recycling and conservation  tips and of course, the animals.  Party for the Planet will also be the “one-stop-drop” for recycling of electronics and household items thanks to the on-site collection by Kent County Department of Public Works, 1-800-GOT JUNK? and Goodwill Industries.  

Zoo admission for Party for the Planet is only $3.50 for adults, $3.00 for children 13 and under, and kids two and under are free.  John Ball Zoo is located on Fulton Ave., one mile west of downtown Grand Rapids.  For more information www.johnballzoosociety.org or (616)336-4374

Full list of participants:

 Association of Grand Rapids Landscape Professionals

Will be distributing free white pine seedlings

City of Grand Rapids – Environments Services Disney           

Will have give-aways promoting upcoming movies.

Girl Scouts

Will be helping kids plant seeds in take-home pots.

Blandford Nature Center

Will be handing out seedlings.

Goodwill Industries

Will be collecting clothes and household items.

Grand Rapids Children’s Museum

Make-n-take crafts and games.

Grand Valley Metro Council

Green Chauffers (‘green’ taxi service)

GVSU “Greening of the Grands” Project

            Free blue spruce seedlings

GVSU Natural Resources Management

Healthy Homes Coalition

Will be helping people keep their homes safe inside and out.

Horizon Hydroponics

Displaying tools for ‘green’ gardening.

Animal Medical Center of Wyoming

Land Conservancy of West Michigan

Michigan Nature Association

Natural Awakenings MagazineL

Pioneer Construction

The Rogue River

Sierra

Sustainable Community Development Initiative

West Michigan Academy of Environmental Sciences

West Michigan Trails and Greenways Coalition

WMEAC

Newkirk-Homrich

Danielle E. Newkirk and Brandon K. Homrich are engaged to be married in May, 2009 at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, Belmont.

The future bride is a 2007 graduate of Rockford High School, and is currently enrolled in Excel Academies of Cosmetology in Grand Rapids. Danielle is the daughter of Christopher and Mary Newkirk of Rockford.

The future groom is a 2005 graduate of Rockford High School, and is awaiting initial Boot Camp assignment in the United States Air Force, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, beginning in the summer of 2009. Brandon is the son of Kenneth and Cynthia Homrich of Rockford.

Grattan Academy High School students Tyler Arnold, Kelly Woods, and Barbee Ryan provide snacks during an American Red Cross Blood Drive hosted by the school on Wednesday, April 1. 

In addition to purchased snacks and drinks, the Middle/High School Student Council members also offered donors a selection of home baked cookies.

Roger Allen, publisher

Constantly confusing

We’ve just enjoyed another Easter event with church services, goody baskets, and Easter egg hunts. We’re also enjoying some pretty nice weather compared with the last couple of months. Originally, Easter was a celebration of spring, although in these parts spring weather sometimes lags behind.

At least we know the official date of spring’s arrival: the Earth moves, the seasons change. The date of Easter is elusive. If you can’t keep track, blame your confusion on Emperor Constantine. It was he who decreed that “Easter shall be celebrated on the first Sunday that occurs after the first full moon on or after the vernal equinox.”

Watch out, though. The “full moon” in the rule is the ecclesiastical full moon, which is defined as the fourteenth day of a tabular lunation, where day one corresponds to the ecclesiastical New Moon. It doesn’t always occur on the same date as the astronomical full moon.

The ecclesiastical “vernal equinox” is always on March 21. Therefore, Easter must be celebrated on a Sunday between the dates of March 22 and April 25.

Now you know everything about the date Easter falls on. You probably won’t even have to consult a calendar in the future. However, if you have any continuing confusion about when it will be Easter, watch for a pink bunny carrying eggs.

Mysteriously transmitted

Two guys are out hunting in the woods, and as they’re walking along they come upon a huge hole in the ground. They approach it and are amazed by its size.

The first hunter says, “Wow, that’s some hole. I can’t even see the bottom. I wonder how deep it is.”

The second hunter says, “I don’t know. Let’s throw something down there and listen to see how long it takes to hit bottom.”

The first hunter says, “I see an old transmission over here. Give me a hand and we’ll throw it in.”

So they pick up the transmission, carry it over, count one and two and three, and throw it in the hole. They’re standing there listening and looking over the edge when they hear a rustling in the brush behind them. As they turn around, they see a goat come crashing through the brush, run up to the hole, and with no hesitation jump in headfirst.

While they’re standing there looking at each other and into the hole, trying to figure out what that was all about, an old farmer walks up. “Say there,” says the farmer, “you fellers didn’t happen to see my goat around here anyplace, did you?”

The first hunter says, “Funny you should ask. We were just standing here a minute ago when a goat came running out of the bushes doin’ about a hunnert miles an hour and jumped headfirst into this hole here!”

     “Why, that’s impossible,” says the old farmer. “I had him chained to a transmission.”

Jerry Coon, Enrolled Agent

When is Tax Freedom Day?

What a difference a year makes. No, I’m not talking about April 15. That day comes hell or high water, or maybe hell AND high water is the more appropriate way of stating it. I’m talking baseball in general and Detroit Tigers baseball in particular.

I’m one of those lifelong Detroit baseball fans who grew up listening to Ernie Harwell and Paul Carey on the radio and watching George Kell and Al Kaline on the television. As a youngster, what a treat it was to get to watch a Tiger game on one of those rare weekday nights when the game was on TV. Today, all of the games are on Fox Sports or ESPN, but back then usually only weekend games were shown on Channel 3. I guess bumping a regular night of programming off the air for a normal regular season baseball game wasn’t all that wise of a choice.

Last year, at this time, the Tigers were zero for April. They lost their first seven games. Their bullpen gave away many of those games. I, personally, was stunned. They had more hitting firepower than any other team in baseball. Their starting pitchers were dependable pitchers. The bullpen was stocked with veteran relievers. Granted, they had a few deficiencies in the field. They were going to make some errors, but out-hitting and outscoring the opposition can make up for not catching every ball.

Things unraveled quickly last year. Getting off to a 0-7 start has a way of doing that. The dependable starting pitchers either injured their arms or seemed to just forget how to pitch. The relievers couldn’t throw strikes or injured their arms, or didn’t throw strikes and injured their arms. What a disaster.

However, it’s a new year, and these Tigers are off to a great start. The fielders actually do catch the ball. The hitters are hitting. Other teams have more and better hitters, but not by much. The starting pitchers are back to being somewhat dependable. Most importantly, the relief pitchers seem to be able to throw strikes, get some people out, and protect a lead in the seventh, eighth and ninth innings. Go, Tigers. Maybe by the time October and the playoffs come around, I will be stunned this year, too.

The Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit agency, Tax Foundation, each year calculates Tax Freedom Day. That is the day, according to the Tax Foundation, that the average American pays 100 percent of his/her tax for the entire year, considering that 100 percent of that average taxpayer’s income was allocated to taxes from beginning on January 1.

The Tax Foundation actually does two calculations. The first formula calculates April 5 as the Tax Freedom Day. This is one week earlier than last year’s calculation. The second formula calculates May 12 as Tax Freedom Day. This is one week later than last week’s calculation. What is the difference? We all know the saying that figures don’t lie but liars figure. I’m not implying that the Tax Foundation is lying. I am implying that calculation number one doesn’t really tell the whole story.

Calculation number one does not include the current budget deficit of roughly two trillion dollars. Calculation number two does include that budget deficit in the calculation. Calculation number one is trumpeted in banner headlines on the front page of the Grand Rapids Press, so to speak. Calculation number two is there, but it’s in a really small article in Section D, page 12.

My take on these two calculations is this: If we are talking about our 2009 tax bill and trying to figure out when that total tax bill is going to be paid, then we should use all of the money the government is going to spend in 2009.

In that regard, calculation number one is very misleading. It makes for a great story, and our bill is paid a week sooner this year. Hooray. But we all know that it is just not possible. Did our government shrink over the past year? Ha, ha.

Calculation number two includes all of the 2009 monies spent to bail out AIG, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and various banks; monies spent on the Iraq and Afghanistan wars; monies spent on helping people stave off foreclosure; monies spent on the stimulus bill, and on and on.

Our government is spending all of this money, but it’s not included, because deficit spending isn’t included in calculation number one. Calculation number two may be ugly, but it’s closer to the truth. The true Tax Freedom Day, in my mind, is May 12. This is Jerry Coon signing off.

Jerry Coon is an Enrolled Agent. He owns

Action Tax Service on Northland Drive in Rockford.

His e-mail address is jcoon@actiontaxservice.com.