gcoslu@yahoo.com
January - 2010
Ringing the bells for:
A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!It's time to get into the habit of writing 2010, I know it's hard to remember! ...my how time marches on!
Welcome to the redesigned newsletter format. I am very hopeful that everyone will find it more convenient than trying to download in their email. You will receice a notice when each new addition is available. Simply click on the "link" provided to view in any web browser - anywhere in the world. Past newsletters will be archived and available as a link in the side bar. Let me know what you think.
Jingle Bell Parade featured a new route
Construction in downtown Grand Haven did not put a stop to the holiday cheer. They did not shorten the route as they had 70 entries. This year’s parade began at Franklin and Third Street and traveled west to Harbor Drive. From there, it traveled north to Columbus, then traveled east to Second Street, then south to Washington, then east on Washington to it’s finale at Central Park . Entries ranged from Grand Marshal Greg Zimmerman, to returning favorites Santa and Mrs. Claus and the large city and county dump trucks. Immediately following the parade, there was a tree-lighting ceremony in Central Park, with hot chocolate and holiday carol singing.
Invasive Asian carp knocking on Lake Michigan’s door
The Great Lakes have already been tested by the likes of resource-devouring mussels and blood-sucking lampreys. The next test: a probable invasion of 100-pound monsters. Asian carp, an inclusive term used for four different species of carp, have been knocking at Lake Michigan’s door for years--rejected only by a withering electric fence in a shipping canal on the Chicago river. Constant electric pulses are used to prevent the Asian carp from getting into Lake Michigan. Asian carp proliferate, produce and grow very fast. They will overgrow and out-compete native fish species. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, some species of Asian carp can grow up to 60-inches long, weigh more than 110 pounds, all while maintaining the capability to eat up to 40 % of their weight in food every day. Silver and bighead carp pose direct threat to humans with an ability to jump over 10 feet into the air. Asian carp have been in the U.S.since the 1970s, when they were imported from China, Taiwan and Russia to clean fish ponds in southern states. During the great flood of 1993, some of these ponds overflowed into the Mississippi River. The carp population eventually stretched to the Illinois River. For many in West Michigan, the most important point may be the effect the carp could have on local economies. It could be devastating on the commercial and recreational fishing industry. Grand Haven is home to about 50 charter boat services and nearly 300 jobs directly connected to its $ 22 million fishing industry. Those jobs would be hit the first and probably the hardest. The addition of the Asian carps’ jumping ability could reduce the desirability of recreational boating on Lake Michigan, the Grand River and Spring Lake. There are currently more than 1,500 boats in the Grand Haven area.
January Events
If you are going to be in Grand Haven during January, check out these events:
January 8, 2010 “ Let’s Wine about Winter “ (Downtown Grand Haven) Also at www.downtowngrandhaven.com
January 28-30, 2010 ” Winterfest” Also at www.winterfestonline.org
On These Days In History
December 2, 1833 - Rix Robinson filed with the U.S. Government for preemption of the land; and, on this date, was given title to all the land that is now Grand Haven.
January 26, 1837 - Michigan was admitted to the Union as the 26th state.
December 17, 1852 - Grand Haven’s first lighthouse had been built in 1839; it was destroyed by the fall storms of 1852; and, on this day, was abandoned.
January 1, 1868 - The population at the Rix Robinson trading post (destined to become Grand Haven) was 21.
January 2, 1868 - The funeral of Reverend William Ferry, “ Father of Grand Haven” was held.
January 12, 1875 - Rix Robinson was born August 28, 1789 in Richmond, MA; he died at his home in Ada, MI in 1875 at age 86.
December 31, 1900 - Grand Haven entered the new century with a population of 4,743; by the end of the century it had grown to more than 11,100.
Magazine rates GH, SL high schools among top 10 percent
Grand Haven and Spring Lake high schools are rated among the top 10 percent in thce nation, according to U.S. News & World Report released in December. It identifies the top performing high schools based on state test scores, advanced placement scores and college readiness. Both schools received silver medals--Spring Lake for the third consecutive year and Grand Haven for the first time. Gold medals went to the Top 100 schools in the nation. The publication’s staff spent months and hundreds of hours compiling the rankings for 21,785 public schools. Only 1,787 schools received a gold, silver, bronze or honorable mention.
Out with the old, in with the new at Grand Haven Stamped Products
In an industry that is constantly evolving, automotive supplier GHSP is making strides to change with the times. In November 2009, they stamped their last part. GHSP officials decided early in 2009 to integrate the company’s electronic and mechanical manufacturing operations into a single mechatronic base in Grand Haven, 1250 S. Beechtree St., while phasing out its stamping operations. The move to bring electronics production to Grand Haven will result in the closure of the GHSP manufacturing facility in Troy, Michigan. As a result of revitalizing it as an electronics facility, roughly 60-70 jobs will be created. It’s going to bring back everyone that’s been laid off, said Dennis Luke, president of the local union at GHSP.
January Birthdays
01-03 / Jack Bringardner 01-05 / Carol Oslund 01-09 / Joan Fett 01-11 / Don Shears 01-27 / Joan Mierle Reeg Start out the year of 2010 correctly, pass along your birthday/ anniversary info. Also include pictures, stories, or whatever else you would like to share with our classmates.
Email to: gcoslu@yahoo.com
Small but Growing Group Moves into former Asimco Plant
A manufacturing conglomerate that makes bent tubing for fuel-send assemblies has moved into the former Asimco building on Lake Michigan Drive near U.S. 31. Arete and real estate officials looked at property throughout the Midwest before settling on the Grand Haven Township site. “ We think this is a wonderful community to do business in. It has a great history in manufacturing and-- with the manufacturing climate in Michigan--we think there is a myriad of very capable manufacturing people that we can draw from in the community. Arete is a consolidated group of four manufacturing companies: Baker Metal Products of Spring Lake, Bent Tube Inc. of Fowlerville, East Jordan Tool and Die, and Trans Industries of Marion, IN. Arete Consolidated Group originally based in Fowlerville employs about 30 people. By early 2010, the company plans to employ 75-100 people; and by the middle of 2011, about 150 people. The company supplies millions of parts each year to about 100 companies--mostly in the automotive industry-- but, also in the furniture, industrial, heavy truck and mining industries.
Local couple plans microbrewery at Harborfront Place
A local couple is hoping to brew something special when they open a microbrewery (Naked Tree Cellars LLC) inside the old piano factory in downtown Grand Haven. “ Right now, we are working on it---and hopefully we can start construction shortly,” said Chris Michner, who will be working as the brewer at his wife Allison’s microbrewery. A 2006 graduate of Michigan State University, Chris began brewing beer in college, and even wrote a column for the school’s newspaper. The brewery would probably start small with 13 different beer taps and three soda taps, and hopefully grow from there. Chris also said they hope to be involved as much as possible in the local community. We really want to focus on being local.
Proposed “ Fallen Heroes” monument a go for Central Park in Grand Haven
After months of petitioning residents and urging Grand Haven leaders to hear their idea, the Fallen Heroes Memorial Monument Committee’s work had paid off. The Grand Haven City Council unanimously approved the committee’s request to locate a monument to honor fallen combatants from World War II on at Grand Haven’s Central Park “I assure you as a professional engineer…we will do our best to make this one of the finest monuments in the country”, committee co-chairman Ken Kelly said. Plans call for a three-sided granite structure with names inscribed of those from the Tri-Cities who lost their lives during World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, and more modern conflicts such as the Gulf War. The group plans on constructing the monument in the southeast corner of Central Park, inside a sidewalk circle surrounded by park benches, near the intersection of Fifth Street and Washington Avenue. “You will be proud of it “, Ken Kelly said of the monument.
New Grand Haven restaurant to provide south-of-the-border taste
A New Buffalo couple with local ties is bringing his family’s love for food to 1106 Robbins Road in Grand Haven. Pedro Rios, Jr. has opened his new restaurant, Rios Mexican Food. His restaurant will feature food that is aimed at being high quality and as authentic as possible. Classic Mexican dishes, ranging from tacos, quesadillas to fully-loaded burritos will be featured.
“ We’ll Remember To Care For You “
Please remember with a card and/or prayers, it does wonders to lift ones spirits.
1. Ernamae Wills Weidner, 5130 Galena Dr., Colorado Springs, CO 80918
Email: eweidner@me.com
2. Robert Lyndon, The Park in Plano, Rm #221B, 3208 Thunderbird Ln, Plano, TX 75075
Email: nancylyndon@yahoo.com
To You
I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving family, for less gray hair or a flatter belly. As I’ve aged, I’ve become kinder to myself, and less critical of myself. I’ve become my own friend. I don’t chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn’t need, but looks so avante garde on my patio. I am entitled to a treat, to be messy, to be extravagant.I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging. Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 AM and sleep until noon ? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60’s & 70’s, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love…I will. I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set. They, too, will get old.
I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And I eventually remember the important things. Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when somebody’s beloved pet gets hit by a car ? But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.
I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face. So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver. As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what people think. I don’t question myself anymore I’ve even earned the right to be wrong. So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single day (if I feel like it).
MAY OUR FRIENDSHIP NEVER COME APART ESPECIALLY WHEN IT’S STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART !!!
May the year of 2010 be all that it can be !!
Until next month...
GunnardP.S. Remember this place?
