350 CROP Walk Takes Stroll for Hunger Sunday Planning
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
^ . i HOAG & SONS' 30OK BINDERY 350 ( Serving The I.aw ell Area far over 10(1 Years J SPRIMGPORT, MICHIGAN 49284 26m The Lowell Ledger Volume 23, Issue 30 Serving Lowell Area Readers Since 1893 Wednesday, May 2, 2001 Spirit of Community Planning Commission favors RV park Celebration Friday idea; chairman to investigate proposal By Thaddeus J. Kraus Lowell Ledger Editor By J.N. Boorsma Contributing Writer development of an RV park. Hall said one of his first moves will be developing a The Lowell community will come together Friday to With the North Country Trail and the improvements with marketing study to see if the park would be utilized and what celebrate leadership in arts, education and community the city, the Lowell Planning Commission is looking at the would be necessary to attract the motorhome and converted service. development of an RV park. coach (highway buses that have been convened info The Spirit of Community Annual Celebration is in- The park, proposed by Lowell Planning Commission motorhomes) crowd to the park. He also plans to offer an area spired by the life and community leadership of the late Ray chair, James Hall, would be loca'ted on the city-owned prop- for tenters. Quada. It will celebrate his special involvement in and erty adjacent to the Flat and Grand rivers. The plan would Because of his background in design. Hall said he feels affection for many Lowell community groups and organi- utilize the Moose, Rogers, and Flat River island properties, comfortable in developing initial drawings for the project and zations. with bridges connecting to the islands. has already been in contact with an engineer who is interested In addition, the event will honor the recipients of the "This is something that has been kicked around for three in working on the project. Tribute Tree (sponsored by the Lowell Area Education years, hut nothing in particular is being done about it," Hall At this point, he is looking for volunteers and people who Foundation), the Ray Quada Opportunity Scholarship, the said. 41I am asking the commission to endorse the idea and would like to work on the project with him. This can include Marsha Wilcox Community Service Award, the Lowell give me a three-year window of opportunity to look into the commission members, councilmembers as well as citizens. Area Arts Council Arty Award and the Lowell Chamber of RV park by setting aside the property for that time period." Those interested should contact City Hall. Commerce Person of the Year Award. Believing that the project deserves investigation, the "As I consider this project, there is a quote 11 ike that speaks 'The school, the city, the arts council, the chamber all planning commission unanimously endorsed the property, for it." he said. "Create a place that you don't have to be. but have had their own event; this brings all of us together for which means that no development of the land will be consid- where you would like to be at." one big community celebration," said Lowell superinten- ered for three years, while Hall is looking into the possible dent, Bert Bleke. The event will begin in the high school cafeteria with a social gathering at 6:30 p.m. accompanied by the Lowell Siring Ensemble. A buffet dinner will follow at 7 p.m. The Posthumus reflects back awards presentations will begin at 8 p.m. which will in- 6 clu^V a special video tribute celebrating the life, accom- on the 90s Michigan plishuicnts and community spirit of Ray Quada. Those not attending the dinner are invited to attend the By Thaddeus J. Kraus awards presentations. Bleke noted that 250 people made Lowell Ledger Editor dinner reservations "It should be a great evening," he concluded. As a new face in the Michigan Senate in 1983. Richard The evening will be hosted by Jim Bosserd and Lowell Posthumus had a vision as to what he wanted Michigan to mayor, Michael Blough. grow into and what he wanted his children to grow up in. The development of the celebration was a collabora- "I wanted Michigan to be a stale where my children tive effort by Pete Gustafson, president of the school board; could create a life for themselves after education." Posthumus Pinky McPherson, president of Lowell Area Education said. "My daughters Krista and Lisa have both been able to Foundation; Bert Blckc, superintendent of Lowell Schools; do that." Li/ Baker, executive director of Lowell Area Chamber of The Alto resident feels strongK that his youngest two Commerce: and Loraine Smalligan. executive director of children. Heather and Bryan will also enio> the same Lowell Area Arts Council. opportunity. Since his days in the Senate. Posthumus has served as majority leader and now as lieutenant governor. Posthumus described the ^Os as a time for high unem- CROP Walk Posthumus, cont'd, pg. 20 takes stroll for Two remodeling projects have commission Hunger Sunday reviewing variance requirements again The 7ih annual Lowell Area CROP Walk is ex- By J.N. Boorsma Contributing Writer far the house sits from the street. The ordinance requires a 30- pected to gather "roughly 350 community patrons for foot setback. Sunday's walk. The dilemma: To encourage people to buy old homes and Because both requests continue the current nonconformit) The annual walk raises money in the fight against remodel them so as to improve the community, yet have those of the home, the two had to seek variances. In fact, most of the hunger. projects fit the city's criteria for a variance. homes built about the time Pawloski's and Welsh's homes Last year over $30,000 was collected by 320 walk- Not an easy one to solve, but one the Lowell Planning were constructed (in the early 1900*s) don't meet the current ers. Of those funds that remained in Lowell, the Flat Commission realized after Monday night's meeting it was Remodeling Projects, cont'd, pg. 20 River Outreach Ministries received $5,441 and the Low- going to have to deal with. Faced with the recurring issue of ell Senior Neighbors Center received $ 1,813. older homes being remodeled which were built well before This year's walk is Sunday (May 6) at 1 p.m. The the current zoning ordinance, the situation in how to accom- walk starts at the Lowell First United Methodist Church. modate both the homeowners and city guidelines is getting, This year's grand marshal is Roger LaWarre. well, a little hairy. Inside The Ledger The CROP Walk is sponsored by theWorld Church "A lot of these homes were built small and now people Service International relief, development and refugee want to have more room," said Lowell city manager. David resettlement agency. Pasquale. "We don't want to discourage them from making Alto Fourth-Graders Individuals needing "walking papers" or who just improvements." want to sponsor someone else, may call 897-5935. Case in point: Ryan Pawloski, of 924 N. Hudson St., and Visit With State's Early . General contributions can be made by check to Will Welsh, of 504 Lincoln Lake, both approached the plan- Church World Services, and can be sent to Lowell Area ning commission to gel variances. Pawloski's was for a side Settlers, CROP Hunger Walk, c/o First United Methodist Church. yard variance. During the process of constructing an addition 621 E. Main, Lowell Ml 49331. to his house, the walls were poured five feet rather that six feet Story & Pictures from the north side yard. In the case of Welsh, his builder Dan Lyndrup was seeking a variance to allow the house and garage Pages 10 &11 addition to set back 18 feet from Howard Street, which is how The Lowell Ledger-Wednesday, Ma> 2.2001 -Faj»e 3 The Lowell l^edger-Wednesday, May 2,2001 -Page 2 the Saranac Community the Clarksville Bible Church. ing hunting, fishing and four- Shirley Chadwick of Saranac, Burial in South Boston Cem- wheeling. He was a loyal fan Bruce and Margaret Church. www.lakefuneralhomes.com etery. Memorial contributions of the Dallas Cowboys foot- Chadwick of Saranac; daugh- may be made to the Clarksville ball team. Although J.J. had ters Mary and Rob Bentz of OBITUARIES First Responders or the Bos- a quiet and sensitive manner, L & N CARPET CLEANING Alaska. Elizabeth and Brien FAHRNI - Bruce F. Fahrni, ton-Saranac Historical Soci- his fun-loving personality S impson of Saranac, Nora and aged 79,ofClarksville, went ety. will always be remembered Jim Ruder of Grand Rapids; to be with his Lord Saturday We're Out To Take Care Of All Your Carpet Needs! morning, April 28, 2001. by all who knew and loved ^ CHADWICK - Warren Reed operated the Saranac Hard- brother Raymond C. ,, Bruce was born in Ionia HARIG - Mrs. Edna M. him. He was preceded in Chadwick. aged 80. of Sa- ware 1955-1984. He was a Chadwick of Saranac; sister County June 14, 1921 and (Pitsch) Harig, aged 92, death by his grandmother Pat ranac. went lo be with his member of the Saranac Com- Frances Hauter of Saranac; had farmed in the Clarksville passed away Saturday, April Larimore and cousin Riley Lord and Savior April 30, munity Church. Charter mem- 18 grandchildren and eight area his entire life. He is sur- 28, 2001. She was preceded Hall. The family will receive 2001. He was born January ber of the Saranac Lions Club. great-grandchildren. He was vived by Rosie, his loving in death by her husband visitors Wednesday 2-4 and 30, 1921 in Chicago, IL. the Member of the Saranac Com- preceded in death by two wife of 57 years; his daugh- Maynard (Sam) Harig.