THE NEXT STEP-Kailey Sturr, center, is pictured with two of her caregivers, Anissa Olinger and Jennifer Wrobleski, on the couch in "Kailey's House."

When Beth Sturr contacted the Squire for a story about her daughter, she said she had been planning the article for 18 years.

Kailey Sturr, who will be 18 in May, has Angelman Syndrome. The smiling, active girl can do many things-help with laundry, chose her own meals, give hugs. She is also non-verbal, is mentally at the level of a toddler and traditionally would either live at home her entire life or be placed in a group home.

Her parents have a different vision for her.

Before the Sturr family settled in Rockford, they knew they wanted their daughter to eventually live in her own home and achieve a level of independence formerly unheard of for a person with Kailey’s disability.

Planning to settle in West Michigan, they called schools and visited towns. When they talked to Rockford Public Schools and the person in charge of the programs for students with disabilities, they felt what they called “such a warm welcome.”

When they saw the downtown, that was the end of the search. Kailey started in the district in the pre-primary impaired program at Meadowridge Elementary and has moved all the way up through to Rockford High School, where she enjoys eating lunch with other students. “Kailey has risen to her potential in Rockford Schools,” said Beth.

Now, at 18, it is time for Kailey to transition to the next phase of her life. Years ago, her parents purchased the home next to theirs on Courtland just north of Monroe. They are ready for Kailey to live in her own home.

“It’s a block from Rocky’s, a block from the bike path, close to all the festivals. It’s the perfect situation for a disabled adult to be a part of,” said Sturr.

Fifty years ago people with severe disabilities were routinely packed off to institutions. Parents of children with disorders such as Downs Syndrome weren’t given much in the way of options. Now group homes or living at home are common. The idea of setting up a disabled person in their own home is brand-new and cutting edge.

“We have had to get creative,” said Sturr. “Getting the house was probably the easiest part.”

The next piece in the puzzle  of the vision for Kailey is to find a roommate or roommates for her. Ideally the Sturrs would like to match Kailey with another disabled girl. Kailey qualifies for 77 hours a week of care but requires 24-hour care. The Sturrs hope the perfect match will be another girl who qualifies for care. Hopefully there will be a way to pool their resources to enjoy this unique living situation.

Another idea is for a caregiver who can exchange duties for live-in privileges. According to Sturr, there are several scenarios that might work.

The home itself is sunny and charming-and childproof. It has a large, fenced back yard, a playroom and three bedrooms, but is not handicap accessible. Kailey’s current caregivers come from MOKA, an organization that helps disabled people from the counties of Montcalm, Ottawa, Kent and Allegan.

According to caregiver Anissa Olinger, Kailey’s future living conditions are unique. Part of the preparation for Kailey living “alone” is to introduce her to her fellow community members.

“Her neighbors know her, the library knows her, business people are getting to know her. She was happy before, but she is even happier now that she is getting to know the community,” Olinger said. She said part of Kailey’s independence is to be very active in her town.

Beth Sturr has been working on having Kailey be a visible and known individual in Rockford. She has been giving to Locks for Love for years, grows flowers to give to neighbors and business owners, is a restaurant familiar and gives out bottled water on the White Pine Trail.

Another person with a disability would likely find the same satisfaction in this new living arrangement.

“Beth and Tom are breaking new ground with this,” Olinger stated.

Taking this next step of finding a roommate for Kailey and moving her next door into her own home is one Beth has envisioned for a long time. “It’s natural for a child to move out at this age. With Kailey it has just taken some creativity. With Kailey the process is life-long,” she said.

Beth and Tom Sturr would like to talk to people who have a family member who may be a match for a new life in “Kailey’s House.” They can be reached at (616) 866-8837.

The family bought two bricks at Peppler Park to express their idea of Rockford. The words read, “Within the heart of each community everyone belongs.”

“It’s not the movie-style ending a parent pictures, but since she was a toddler this was our vision-to be in her own home, with staffing that meets her needs and the security of living in her own home in her own community.”

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.

YOUR FINANCIAL TEAM-Megan Leach, David Muilenberg, Deborah Dalman, Heather Biggs and Jon Pettigrew of Discovery Financial.

With the economy offering challenges to many in West Michigan, Discovery Financial, a second-generation family business, helps residents starting over with new careers and business ventures.

Begun by Marvin Muilenberg in 1951, the company is now in the hands of his son, David. Since beginning with the company, David brought in a partner, Jon Pettigrew and continued the growth of the company. In addition to David Muilenberg, ChFC, CLU and Jon Pettigrew, CRP®, ChFC, staff at Discovery also includes Megan Leach, Deborah Dalman, RHU®, and Heather Biggs.

David Muilenberg believes the company’s values have been integral to the growth of the company, along with the experience offered by the staff. Collectively they offer over 50 years in financial services.

“Our business is relationship-driven,” said Muilenberg. “We believe in providing solid, simple-to-understand advice on money management, retirement and insurance planning. Our customers become family. When they succeed we feel their successes along with them.

Discovery Financial offers retirement income planning, life insurance audits, long-term care insurance, disability income, college education planning, wealth accumulation planning, group insurance and more.

“We are not commission-based but fee-based, so we succeed when our clients succeed,” Muilenberg stated.

Muilenberg, Pettigrew and Dalman all left a large insurance company to join Discovery Financial. They wanted to be independent with no restrictions to using  proprietary products. They wanted the ability to provide solutions to their clients, not just offer a product.

Discovery Financial staff are among the most highly qualified and educated in the community, with two chartered financial consultants with advanced certification-CHFL, CLU, CFP and RHU.

The friendly, relaxed atmosphere in the office puts clients at ease as they explore their financial options.

It is important to each member of the Discovery team that the company holds high moral standards. “What makes us unique in the industry is that we believe the situation or the need an individual has determines what product we offer-not the commission paid,” Pettrigrew said.

“It is our desire to build long-term relationships with our clients and their families.

For the last six years Discovery Financial has been located at 971 Spaulding Street, Suite A in Ada, Michigan. They can also be reached by telephone at (616) 957-9999 or visit online at discoveryfinancialllc.com

Scott Radford (L) and his father Chris (R) invite you to the Family Fun Day.

Poker walk, run, ride offers plenty of prizes

The new Cannon Township nature trail offers lovely scenery, chances to watch wildlife, and some great views of a variety of habitats. On Saturday, April 18, from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. the trail and Cannon Township Hall will host more than just a beautiful, handicap-accessible setting for outdoor enjoyment.

The second annual Family Fun Day Poker Walk, Run, Ride offers prizes and auction items, family fun packs for the first 100 to sign up, and the chance to win a $400 bike from Village Bike and Fitness or a $100 gift certificate from The Runnery.

The event is organized by Chris Radford. He and son Scott are teaming with the West Michigan chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). Scott was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when he was 11 years old. The illness caused many changes in the lives of Scott and his family as they began their regimen of blood sugar testing many times daily and administering insulin shots. The family describes the adjusting to the effects of diabetes as a roller coaster as Scott’s body slowly stopped producing insulin.

Today Scott manages the disease with an insulin pump which is connected to an injection site. The Radford family has seen first-hand the devastating effect of the disease and decided that they need to do what they can to help find a cure for the disease. Forty new cases are diagnosed daily in the United States, and over three million people have the disease.

The Family Fun Day Poker Walk, Run, Ride is the Radford’s contribution to the cause of finding a cure. For a minimum donation of $25, participants will receive a JDRF t-shirt and one free hand of poker. As walkers, runners and riders enjoy traveling the trail, they will pick up a poker card at stops along the way. The winning hands take home prizes. Additional hands may also be purchased. In addition to the grand and
first prizes, there will be others, including gift baskets, gift certificates, food certificates, JDRF apparel, landscaping coupons and more. The first 100 family registrations also come with a free family fun pack including a sports bottle, free small pizza or breadsticks and other giveaways.

To find out more about this event, visit www.cannontwp.org or www.jdrfwestmichigan.com/ride/team info.html and select Chris Radford. Checks may be made to JDRF West Michigan Chapter, 5075 Cascade Road, Suite F, Grand Rapids, MI 49546.

The Squire in Aberdeen, Scotland

The Squire was lucky enough to tag along on a trip to Aberdeen, Scotland in mid-March. Nate Morris, who attends Butler University, and Carla Morris visit Sydney Morris, who attends Alma College. She is currently attending the University of Aberdeen for her semester abroad. Sydney is taking classes at King’s College which was founded in 1495.

With spring break around the corner, we hope other residents will remember to bring along a copy of their hometown paper for a nice souvenir write-up in the paper. Email to squiremail@aol.com.

Sasha Newville and Ryan O'Dowd

The parents of Sasha Newville and Ryan O’Dowd announce their engagement to be married. The couple will be united in marriage on July 18, 2009 at Kuyper College Chapel.

The future bride is a 2006 graduate of Cedar Springs High School, and is employed by Metro Health.

The future groom is a 2005 graduate of Rockford High School, and is employed by West Side Beer.

VSU volunteer Jim Herdegen.

The same holds true for any organization.  The Rockford community has a jewel in its volunteer police officers.  Situated in the heart of downtown Rockford, the Rockford Police Department Volunteer Service Unit (VSU) officers patrol our charming community searching for parking violations, sidewalks in disrepair or in need of shoveling, as well as patrolling trails as needed, helping shut-ins, and checking on the homes of citizens who are on vacation.  In addition to those duties, VSU officers answer questions at their downtown “headquarters,” the Welcome Center in the heart of downtown Rockford.

VSU officers serve at special events such as the Start of Summer celebration, National Night Out, parades, and other community activities. They help with traffic control, crowd control, and in other ways. They have two vehicles for their patrols-a donated Jeep Cherokee and a golf cart with police lights.  They have the authority to approach someone who is breaking the law and they have the means to call for back up. All volunteers are equipped with a walkie-talkie that is a direct line to the Rockford Police Department dispatchers, who oversee the VSU.  Any sign of trouble is immediately called in to dispatch and a police officer is sent to their location without delay.

The VSU officers don’t get paid monetarily; they get paid with feelings of pride by helping to make their community safer, cleaner, and happier. One such volunteer, Jim Herdegen, retired from Steelcases’ manufacturing engineering division. He has been volunteering with the VSU for over three years and has also been at God’s Kitchen in Grand Rapids for six years.  Prior to his stint downtown he volunteered at the Michigan Community Blood Center.  He volunteers his time because he likes being able to meet people from all over including, England and Ireland. He recalls a story of how a woman from west of Milwaukee, Wisconsin had ridden her bike to Rockford and was looking for trail information.  Moments after he sent this woman on her way to a local restaurant, a couple from the Rockford area came into the Welcome Center looking for trails to get them to Wisconsin.  He quickly told this couple to go to the restaurant and find the woman that he spoke to minutes before.

When not in the Welcome Center or doing any of their other duties, the VSU officers may be found on the White Pine Trail “catching” children riding with their helmets on.  Instead of a ticket they give out stickers, badges, and occasionally, coupons donated by local businesses for a free ice cream cone or french fries. A humorous tale was also told of the day Jim had to ticket someone right outside of the courthouse who parked in a handicapped parking spot without having the proper tag.

He said, “I had to give him a ticket. He parked right in front of the courthouse.  I laughed as I wrote the ticket.” Moments like those are what make his efforts and time spent worthwhile.

Volunteers with the VSU only work one or two days per week, which allows plenty of time to pursue other hobbies and interests.  When you walk into the Welcome Center, you are given the opportunity to talk to a volunteer, grab a brochure of a local merchant, or peruse a guide of the downtown businesses (designed, in part, by Jim). When you are at the Welcome Center look on the back wall of the office and you’ll see several of Jim’s photographs showcasing the Rockford area and other VSU volunteers doing their jobs. He is quite an accomplished photographer.

Volunteers like Jim are few and far between.  The Rockford Police Department Volunteer Service Unit is always looking for additional members. Currently there are 15 volunteers, but they could use a few more.  Applications are available at the Welcome Center or at the Rockford Police Department. You may turn applications in at the police department.   All applicants will be screened and a background check will be completed.  There are no requirements for volunteering other than having a willing heart to serve the community of Rockford.

Byrne Electric St. Patrick's Day breakfast/party.

Thirty nine years ago, to celebrate their Irish Heritage, Norm and Rosemary Byrne of Byrne Electric decided to do something nice for their employees on St. Patrick’s Day.

They invited all of their employees for breakfast at their home. “They set it up in their basement. Everyone was invited,” said Mike Lomonaco, Customer Relationship Manager.

But as the company continued to grow throughout the following years, the Byrne’s basement couldn’t hold them all.

So when they moved to their current location, they continued to have the St. Patrick’s Day breakfast/party, but now they have it in the company cafeteria.

While the employees eat their breakfast, they listen to the live Irish music for about an hour.

Lomonaco stated that if business allows them to do it, the employees also receive a half day off on St. Patrick’s Day.

Lomonaco continued, “That’s one of the advantages of being a privately-held company, we can do this for our employees. They are the heart and soul of our company,”

Investigators from the Sheriff’s Office are looking into both situations.

Plainfield Township officials advise residences to check their official website, plainfieldchartertwp.org, for current project information that may be taking place throughout the township. They also advise that all township employees drive clearly labeled vehicles, wear uniforms and carry township pictured ID.

The Sheriff’s Office verified the township had no reported water problems nor did they have any workers in that area.

Sheriff’s Deputies believe the suspect may be working with an accomplice and possibly stealing property from the victims when given the opportunity. The suspect is described as a white male, tall and thin.

Their vehicle was described as a white or grey SUV, or possibly a white-colored pick up truck.

Remember: Government workers should be in uniform and should always have proper/official identification before being allowed into your home.  Use your phone directory and attempt to verify the information that the subject is giving you. If they are legitimate they will be patient, understanding, and accommodating while you verify their credentials.

For more information contact the Kent County Sheriff’s Office (616) 632-6100 or Silent Observer at (616) 774-2345.

Judge Aunt Candy Lancioni chooses her favorites in the Girl Scout spirit category.

From castles to snowmen, volcanoes to teddy bears, dads, uncles, grandpas and their favorite Girl Scout arrived with their entries for the third annual Father/Daughter Cake Bake held at Our Lady of Consolation on March 14.  Twenty-seven cakes were entered in this year’s auction and sold for a total of $1,180 for the financial assistance fund for the Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore council. 

The girls and their baking partners were also recognized for their culinary designs. Tia Hawkes, Lydia Kolbe and Sarah Bloem each won prizes for the cakes depicting the best Girl Scout spirit. In the cutest cake category, Olivia Baldwin, Amanda Zeboor and Baily Knittle took the honors. The judges chose the cakes created by Emilee Frost, Danielle Dettloff and Shelby Taylor as the most creative. Every color of the rainbow was represented in the cakes designed by Katherine Parker, Emma Gearhart and Skylar Fabish in the most colorful category. Most artistic honors went to Julie Fitzhugh, Micha Merren and Maddie Ripple. A salute to patriotism was represented in the designs of Marissa Dettloff, Violetta Vega and Sarah Nicklowitz and were awarded prizes in the most patriotic category.

It was a family affair for Sarah McLellan as she received help from her dad Guy, grandfather Jerry Herrington and great-uncle Jerry VanderMeer for their electric guitar design.

“The turnout was great for this year’s event. We raised more money this year then ever in the past-that says a lot about the caring community we live in and their support of our young people,” said Lori Dettloff, co-chair of the event. “As Girl Scouts celebrates their 97th birthday, it is great to know that this organization is stronger then ever in the Rockford community.”

The Rockford Girl Scouts would like to extend a “thank-you” to Our Lady of Consolation for donating the use of their building for the event, Wiley and Company for the assistance with decorations, judges Candy Lancioni and Jeannie Gregory and to all our bakers and bidders that made this event possible.

            To learn more about Girl Scouting in our area, visit www.rockfordgs.com.