Current Issue
Rockford Register – May 28, 2009
Thursday, May 28
Rockford Lions Club Meeting-
6 p.m. at the Community Cabin. Program by Richard Hert, executive director of W. Michigan Tourist Assoc. and CEO of W. Michigan Film Office.
Friday, May 29
Rummage & Bake Sale-9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Rockford United Methodist Church, 159 Maple St., Rockford. Kids and adult clothes, housewares, crib and bedding, toys, furniture, and much more. Proceeds help with various service projects in the Rockford area.
Saturday, May 30
Blood Drive-9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Hope Community Church, 7000 Myers Lake Ave., Rockford.
Blood Drive-10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Midwest Mountain Bike Summit at Cannonsburg Ski Area, 6800 Cannonsburg Road NE.
Garden Club Event-10 a.m. to
2 p.m. at Loda Lake National Wildflower Sanctuary (north on M-37, seven miles past White Cloud, west on 5 Mile Road, north on Felch Ave.). Garden Clubs of Michigan volunteers and U.S. Forest Service personnel will organize children’s activities, guide wildflower walks, provide native plant information, and display a butterfly tent.
Free Kids’ Fishing-9 a.m. to noon at Dwight Lydell chapter of the Izaak Walton League, 5641 Myers Lake Rd., Rockford. All kids must be accompanied by an adult. Fishing rods, worms and help will be provided at our catch-and-release pond. For more information, call (616) 866-1061.
Tuesday, June 2
Rockford Rotary Club Meeting-noon at the Community Cabin. Program to include Valley View Elementary teacher Brenda Holsinger’s Reader Theater. Members enjoy lunch, socializing and speakers, while organizing local and international service projects. To find out more about the Rotary Club or to visit as a guest, contact any local Rotarian.
Mended Hearts Meeting-7 p.m. at Spectrum Health Fred & Lena Meijer Heart Center, 100 Michigan St. NE, Grand Rapids, in Room 8815 on the eighth floor. Mended Hearts, a volunteer nonprofit support group affiliated with the American Heart Association, offers hope, information and encouragement to heart patients, families and caregivers through those who have experienced heart disease. For more information, contact Jim Oldfield at (616) 891-9395.
Country Music-9:30 to 11:30 a.m. every Tuesday at Rockford Ambulance Community Center, corner of 10 Mile Road and Shaner Avenue in Rockford. Music by the Rogue River Band. Enjoy free coffee, tea and snacks.
Wednesday, June 3
Business Counseling-Starting a new business or have questions about your existing business? The Rockford Chamber of Commerce and the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) would like to help. SCORE is a nonprofit organization sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration and is dedicated to helping the small-business community through no-fee mentoring, business counseling and low-cost workshops. A SCORE counselor will be at the Chamber starting at 9 a.m. Please call the Chamber at (616) 866-2000, Mon.-Fri. from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., to schedule an appointment.
Thur.,-Fri., June 4-5
Boaters Safety Class-6 to 9 p.m. at Rockford Veterans of Foreign Wars Post, 4195 Thirteen Mile Rd., Rockford. To pre-register, call (616) 866-1583.
Saturday, June 6
“Love Your Home Again” Seminar-10:00-11:30 a.m. at DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen, 4658 West River Dr., Comstock Park. Along with Matisse & Marguerite Interior Design, we will give simple, sensible solutions for the home along with tips on organizing, creating a serene environment, using color to create moods, and a light brunch is included. Participants may bring a photo of a room in their home that needs help. Seating is limited; reservations required. Call (616) 632-2284.
Monday, June 8
Blood Drive-1:00-6:45 p.m. at Rockford Reformed Church, 4890 Eleven Mile Road.
Tuesday, June 9
Country Music-9:30 to 11:30 a.m. every Tuesday at Rockford Ambulance Community Center, corner of 10 Mile Road and Shaner Avenue in Rockford. Music by the Rogue River Band. Enjoy free coffee, tea and snacks.
Rockford Rotary Club Meeting-noon at the Community Cabin. Program to include speaker Jordon Spencer of the Rotary Board. Members enjoy lunch, socializing and speakers, while organizing local and international service projects. To find out more about the Rotary Club or to visit as a guest, contact any local Rotarian.
American Sewing Guild Meeting-6:30 p.m. at Plainfield Senior Center, 5255 Grand River Dr. NE, Grand Rapids. Mary Dykstra will present “Clearing the Clutter” to help you learn how to organize your sewing room. Cost is $2 for non-members, and $1 for members. Refreshments will be served, and Sew and Show presented. For more information, call Mary at (616) 698-9554 or Barb at (616) 949-6669. Visit the club’s website: www.grasg.org.
Friday, June 12
Elvis with Special Guest Tom Jones-doors open at 7 p.m. (show at 8 p.m.) at Rockford American Legion Post 102. Cost is only $10, includes cash bar. Open to public; must be at least age 21 to enter.
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Rockford Register — May 21, 2009
Thursday, May 21
Great Pond & Koi Society of West Michigan Meeting-6:30 p.m. at the Kent/MSU Extension Office, 755 Ball Ave., Grand Rapids, featuring a tour of the Grand Ideas Garden
and Pond. Open to the public.
Make reservations by calling Mary
at (616) 698-1030 or Joyce at
(616) 754-9759.
Saturday, May 23
Blood Drive-10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Grand Rogue Campground & Paddlesports, 6400 West River Dr., Belmont. Everyone who registers to donate will receive a free t-shirt and enter a drawing for a chance to go “Over the Edge.”
Howard City/Tri-County High School Annual Alumni Reunion Banquet-
6 p.m. at Heritage United Methodist Church, 19331 Kendaville Rd., Pierson. Tickets are $15 per person. Make reservations by May 16 by calling Vicky Paulen at (231) 937-5190. Tickets may also be purchased at the door.
Free Kids’ Fishing-9 a.m. to noon, every Saturday in May at Dwight Lydell chapter of the Izaak Walton League, 5641 Myers Lake Rd., Rockford. All kids must be accompanied by an adult. Fishing rods, worms and help will be provided at our catch-and-release pond. For more information, call (616) 866-1061.
Sunday, May 24
Blood Drive-8:30 a.m. to noon at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 4333 Parnell Rd., Ada. Everyone who registers to donate may enter a drawing for a $25 gift card.
Monday, May 25
Memorial Day Activities in Rockford-8:30 a.m. opening flag-raising ceremony at Rockford Community Cabin, 220 N. Monroe St.; 9 a.m. parade from Community Cabin north to Lewis St., west to N. Main St., south to Corner Bar, east to Rockford Cemetery, with guest speaker Michael Young; ceremony at 9:45 a.m. at Rockford Cemetery. Open house at 10:30 a.m. at Rockford American Legion, with hot dogs and drinks free of charge. Wreath ceremony at the Legion at 11 a.m. Blythefield Cemetery ceremony at noon; Courtland Cemetery ceremony at 12:30 p.m.
Tuesday, May 26
Country Music-9:30 to 11:30 a.m. every Tuesday at Rockford Ambulance Community Center, corner of 10 Mile Road and Shaner Avenue in Rockford.
Rockford Garden Club Meeting-
7 p.m. at United Methodist Church, community room, 159 Maple St., Rockford. Guest speaker Helen Kennedy will present “Bee-Amazed!” about bees in your garden. Open to the public.
Legal Assistance for Seniors-
10 a.m. to noon by appointment at the Rockford Ambulance Board Room. Jason Jansma will assist with legal issues at no charge. To schedule your appointment, call Marcia at (616) 863-6322.
Wednesday, May 27
Honor Our Veterans Blood & Marrow Drive-10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Michigan National Guard Armory, 1200 44th St., Wyoming. WGRD will broadcast live. Everyone who attempts to donate can register to win two round-trip tickets to Las Vegas courtesy of Allegiant Air, and a four-day/three-night weekend getaway at Little River Casino Resort in Manistee courtesy of Planet Hollywood. For more information, visit www.miblood.org or call 1-866-MIBLOOD.
BISSELL Blocktail Party-6 to 9 p.m. at Regatta Plaza, Gaslight Village, East Grand Rapids, sponsored by BISSELL Homecare Inc., Classic Rock 97 LAV-FM, Grand Rapids Magazine, Lostpetusa.net, and Bark Magazine. Free parking in adjacent Regatta Plaza car park. Come, sit and stay a while at this casual yet upscale street party. Mingle with fellow pet-lovers while enjoying beer, wine and tasty “yappetizers.” Your pooch will dine
on tasty treats, while everyone enjoys live entertainment and a silent auction. Microchipping available onsite for
only $15. For more information, visit www.bissellblocktailparty.com or
call (616) 791-8089.
Native Plant Sale-6 to 8 p.m. at Eagle Park Drive NE, Grand Rapids. Over 50 different species of native plants will be available, including wildflowers, grasses and ferns. For more information, visit www.kentconservation.org or call
(616) 942-4111 ext. 4.
Thursday, May 28
Rockford Lions Club Meeting-
6 p.m. at the Community Cabin. Program by Richard Hert, executive director of W. Michigan Tourist Assoc. and CEO of W. Michigan Film Office.
Saturday, May 30
Blood Drive-9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Hope Community Church, 7000 Myers Lake Ave., Rockford.
Blood Drive-10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Midwest Mountain Bike Summit at Cannonsburg Ski Area, 6800 Cannonsburg Road NE.
Free Kids’ Fishing-9 a.m. to noon at Dwight Lydell chapter of the Izaak Walton League, 5641 Myers Lake Rd., Rockford. All kids must be accompanied by an adult. Fishing rods, worms and help will be provided at our catch-and-release pond. For more information, call (616) 866-1061.
Tuesday, June 2
Rockford Rotary Club Meeting-noon at the Community Cabin,
Rockford. Program to include Valley View Elementary teacher Brenda Holsinger’s Reader Theater. Members enjoy lunch, socializing and speakers, while organizing local and international service projects. To find out more about the Rotary Club or to visit as a guest, contact any local Rotarian.
Mended Hearts Meeting-7 p.m. at Spectrum Health Fred & Lena Meijer Heart Center, 100 Michigan St. NE, Grand Rapids, in Room 8815 on the eighth floor. Mended Hearts, a volunteer nonprofit support group affiliated with the American Heart Association, offers hope, information and encouragement to heart patients, families and caregivers through those who have experienced heart disease. For more information, contact Jim Oldfield at (616) 891-9395.
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Rockford Register
Tuesdays
Now through April 21
Free Health Program-6:00 to 8:30 p.m. at Sparta Health Center, 475 S. State St., Sparta. The Personal Action Toward Health (PATH) workshop provides knowledge and skills to adults with chronic health conditions such as arthritis, heart disease, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, bronchitis, asthma and depression. Registration is necessary; enrollment limited. For more information or to register, call
(616) 685-1300.
Thursday, April 23
Rockford Lions Club Meeting-
6 p.m. at the Community Cabin, 220 N. Monroe St., Rockford. Rockford High School’s Beyond the Rock Video Production will present “Introduction to the Rockford Lions Club.”
Thursday-Saturday
April 23-25
Used Book Sale-Thur. 10-7, Fri. 10-4 and Sat. 10-2 at Timothy C. Hauenstien Reynolds Township Library, 117 Williams St., Howard City, sponsored by the Friends of the Library. Book donations are needed and appreciated.
Friday, April 24
Remodeled Homes Open Houses-1 to 9 p.m. (and Saturday, April 25, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) at two homes: 7241 Belding Road, Rockford (park at 6878 Belding Rd., Cannon Twp. offices), and 356 Glen Carin Drive, Rockford. Win a door prizes of an hour-and-a-half of professional organizing. Tickets are $8 for ages 13 and up; free for ages 12 and under.
Saturday, April 25
Auction-doors open at 4:30 p.m. at North Kent Bible Church, 7210 Courtland Drive NE, Rockford. Live auction along with hot dogs, chips and drinks start at 5 p.m. There will also be silent and raffle auction items. Proceeds to benefit repairs to the church. For more information, call (616) 866-9888 or visit www.northkentbiblechurch.com.
16th Annual Bear Creek Waterfest-8 a.m. to noon at Townsend Park, corner of Ramsdell Drive and Cannonsburg Rd., featuring family activities such as Creeky Critters, fish pond, rain sticks, microscope magic, watershed maps, prizes, bake sale, Rubber Ducky Races and much more! Pancake breakfast from 8 to 10 a.m.; $5 adults, $3 kids 12 and under. Musical group Hawks & Owls will perform. All activities are free. Sponsored by Cannon Township.
Art & Fine Craft Sale-10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Rockford United Methodist Church, fellowship room, held by Rogue River Artists Association.
Halo 3 Xbox 360 Tournament-9:30 a.m. registration at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 310 E. Division, Rockford. Funds raised to support the senior high mission trip. For more information, team registrations and parent consent forms, visit www.stpetersrockford.org or call the church at (616) 866-1818.
Salamander Survey-10 a.m. to noon at Howard Christensen Nature Center. Amphibians are said to be indicators of environmental health. Learn more about these little-known creatures, their life cycle, and threats to their habitat. Children welcome. Cost is $5 per family (members), or $7 per family (non-members). Register at www.stewardshipnetwork.org, or call the nature center at (616) 675-3158 by April 22.
Auditions for “The Jungle Book”-10 a.m. (and Monday, April 27 at 6:30 p.m.) at Hudsonville Community Center (corner of School and VanBuren). Performances will be July 19-20, 2009, at Hudsonville School. Minimum of 20 youth needed, ages 9 to high school. For more information, call (616) 455-1001 or visit www.masterarts.org.
2nd Annual Relay for Life Benefit-9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 6575 Belding Road. All haircuts, manicures and chair massages are $10 each (walk-in only). Proceeds to benefit Rockford Relay for Life. Complimentary food from Pizzeria Grandé and Bostwick Bakery. For more information, call (616) 874-9215.
Sunday, April 26
Autism Society of Kent County Walk for Awareness-noon to 4 p.m. at Kuyper College. Enjoy a free Autism Community Resource Fair, live music, raffles and Bounce activities for the kids throughout the day. Registration at noon; walk to follow at 1 p.m. For more information, contact the society at (616) 752-8577.
Monday, April 27
Grand Rapids Audubon Club Meeting-6:30 p.m. at Grand Rapids Theological Seminary Auditorium at Cornerstone University, 3000 Leonard NE, Grand Rapids. Mel Visser, former Pfizer employee and author of “Cold, Clear and Deadly: Unraveling a Toxic Legacy,” will present “Pollution of North American Waters from PCB and World Pesticides.” Guests welcome. No admission fee. For more information, visit www.glsga.org/grac or call Bea at (616) 676-2446.
Tuesday, April 28
Rockford Garden Club Meeting-
7 p.m. at Rockford United Methodist Church, community room, 159 Maple St. Open to the public; light refreshments; free admission. Meribeth Bolt and Sue Bouchard, advanced master gardeners, will present “Stuffed Topiary for the Home Garden and Beyond,” for creating topiary for both inside and outside your home. For more information, call Karen Chickering at (616) 874-0186 or visit www.rockfordgardenclub.htmlplanet.com.
Rockford Rotary Club Meeting-noon at the Community Cabin, 220 N. Monroe St., Rockford. Members enjoy lunch, socializing and speakers, while organizing local and international service projects. To find out more about the Rotary Club or to visit as a guest, contact any local Rotarian.
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Register
Tuesdays
Now through April 21
Free Health Program-6:00 to
8:30 p.m. at Sparta Health Center, 475 S. State St., Sparta. The Personal Action Toward Health (PATH) workshop provides knowledge and skills to adults with chronic health conditions such as arthritis, heart disease, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, bronchitis, asthma and depression. Registration is
necessary; enrollment limited. For
more information or to register, call (616) 685-1300.
Sunday, April 12
Breakfast-8 a.m. to noon at American Legion Post #102,
330 Rockford Park Drive, between
11 Mile and 12 Mile roads on Northland Dr.). Cost is $6.50 for adults, $5 for seniors over 70, and $3 for kids, which includes eggs, toast, bacon, sausage, coffee and juice.
Tuesday, April 14
Country Music-9:30 to 11:30 a.m. every Tuesday at Rockford Ambulance Community Center, corner of 10 Mile Road and Shaner Avenue in Rockford. Music by the Rogue River Band. Enjoy free coffee, tea and snacks.
Rockford Rotary Club Meeting-noon at the Community Cabin,
220 N. Monroe St., Rockford. Members enjoy lunch, socializing and speakers, while organizing local and international service projects. To find out more about the Rotary Club or to visit as a guest, contact any local Rotarian.
American Sewing Guild Meeting-6:30 p.m. at the Plainfield Senior Center, 5255 Grand River Drive NE, Grand Rapids. Joyce Bolthouse will present “A Woman’s Perogative,” along with jacket patterns. Cost is $2 for non-members or $1 for members. Refreshments will be served and Sew & Show presented. For more information, visit www.grasg.org or call Mary at (616) 698-9554 or Barb at
(616) 949-6669.
Thursday, April 16
Spring Outdoor Archery League-
7 p.m. every Thursday through June 4, 2009, at Rockford Sportsman’s Club. FITA range rules and targets, six arrow ends; all shooting 122 cm targets. Fun for the whole family! For details, call (616) 292-8183 or e-mail amcintyre
@mcintyrehomes.com.
Saturday, April 18
Pancake Breakfast & Seedling Pick-Up-8-11 a.m. at Howard Christensen Nature Center. Have breakfast when you come for a hike or to pick up your seedling order. Cost is $5 for adults; $3.50 for children ages 4-12. For directions and more information, visit www.kentconservation.org/hcnc.
4th Annual Gently Used Spring Sale-9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at North Kent Service Center on Northland Dr., Rockford. All items in the Market Place Showroom will be for sale, and everything priced less than $10, to make room for summer items. Proceeds from this sale go back into the Center’s food pantry. Admission is a nonperishable food item.
Auditions for “Arsenic and Old Lace”-10 a.m. (and Monday, April 20 at 7 p.m.) at Master Arts Theatre, 75 77th St. SW, Grand Rapids. Performances will be June 11-20, 2009. Nine men and one woman needed. For more information, call (616) 455-1001 or e-mail director
@masterarts.org.
Sunday, April 19
Roast Beef Dinner-11:30 a.m. to
2 p.m. at Rockford Veterans of Foreign Wars Post, 4195 Thirteen Mile Road, Rockford. Cost is $8 for adults, and $3.50 for children under age 12. Enjoy all-you-can-eat roast beef, potatoes, corn, beans, roll, dessert and beverage. Bring your papers for recycling! “Best dinner i
n town… Bring the whole family!”
Music by Keyboard World.
Visit www.rockfordvfwpost3946.org.
Earth Week Benefit Concert for WMEAC-7 p.m. at Fountain Street Church. Come at 5 p.m. for food and EcoAction Expo. Live music by Richie Havens with Harry Manx. Tickets at all Schuler Books and online at liveatthefountain.org.
Monday, April 20
Free Food for Needy Families-
5 p.m. in the Mobile Food Pantry at St. Stephen Lutheran Church, 6070 Kuttshill Drive (corner of Northland Drive and Rogue River Rd.; entrance on Kuttshill), Rockford, providing free food for needy families in the North Kent community. For more information, contact the church at (616) 866-1556.
Tuesday, April 21
Country Music-9:30 to 11:30 a.m. every Tuesday at Rockford Ambulance Community Center, corner of 10 Mile Road and Shaner Avenue in Rockford. Music by the Rogue River Band. Enjoy free coffee, tea and snacks.
Rockford Rotary Club Meeting-noon at the Community Cabin,
220 N. Monroe St., Rockford. Van Andel Institute scientist, Rich West, will be this week’s speaker. Members enjoy lunch, socializing and speakers, while organizing local and international service projects. To find out more about the Rotary Club or to visit as a guest, contact any local Rotarian.
Thursday, April 23
Rockford Lions Club Meeting-
6 p.m. at the Community Cabin, 220 N. Monroe St., Rockford. Program by Richard Hert, CEO West Michigan Film Office and executive director West Michigan Tourist Association.
Thursday-Saturday
April 23-25
Used Book Sale-Thur. 10-7, Fri. 10-4 and Sat. 10-2 at Timothy C. Hauenstien Reynolds Township Library, 117 Williams St., Howard City, sponsored by the Friends of the Library. Book donations are needed and appreciated.
Saturday, April 25
Auction-doors open at 4:30 p.m. at North Kent Bible Church, 7210 Courtland Drive NE, Rockford. Live auction along with hot dogs, chips and drinks start at 5 p.m. There will also be silent and raffle auction items. Proceeds to benefit repairs to the church. For more information, call (616) 866-9888 or visit www.northkentbiblechurch.com.
Salamander Survey-10 a.m. to noon at Howard Christensen Nature Center. Amphibians are said to be indicators of environmental health. Learn more about these little-known creatures, their life cycle, and threats to their habitat. Children welcome. Cost is $5 per family (members), or $7 per family (non-members). Register at www.stewardshipnetwork.org, or call the nature center at (616) 675-3158 by April 22.
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Community EXPO a success with more visitors than ever
They couldn’t give the money away fast enough
THESE KIDS AREN’T SCARED—of this fireman in full gear. Others had a varied reaction to several mascots who worked the EXPO.
The lesson for next year: stay longer. As the Rockford Community EXPO 2009 wound down, local celebrity Juliet Dragos couldn’t give the $500 door prizes away fast enough. “Must be present to win” was the key phrase as name after name was called with no takers.
At quarter to closing time, the call “come to the stage, you are the winner” was starting to sound a little comical. Two prizes remained unclaimed, a cool grand for two different people… still there.
It wasn’t for lack of visitors. According to Brenda Davis, Rockford Chamber executive director, the turnout was even higher than last year’s 11,000. Except for the cash prizes, no one was having any trouble giving things away. Several food vendors ran out early, with the Corner Bar going the distance with samples of white chicken chili.
Corner Bar owner Andy Tidey said, “There is only so much chili two people can scoop into cups in six hours.” He said the restaurant gave out 45 gallons of chili, or the equivalent of 1,700 servings.
“It’s great exposure for us. There are a lot of people who don’t know we have that every day,” he stated.
Firefighters at Rockford EXPO
“We are always busy the entire six hours with a line going around the corner, so it didn’t make any difference for us. We could have been the only food or one of 12 vendors.”
Dr. Michael Shibler, Superintendent of Rockford Schools, said the event was again a tremendous success and a win-win for the community.
“It’s held here in a building built with our tax dollars. The entertainment is by students from all ages of our district, who are also products of this community,” he said. “For many people who come here, this is the first time they’ve been in this building. They can see first-hand how their tax
dollars are spent.”
See you at next year’s EXPO-and don’t leave early.
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