HOAG i SONS* BOOK BINDER/ SPRINCPORT, MICHIGAN 49284 The Grand Valley Ledger Serving Lowell Area , XSL Readers Since 1893 Volum* 10, Issue 35 July 16, 1986 Thirteenth Mocker is a tremendous success # By Matt Berry nied a preliminary injunction on Now Isenhoff comes along and "Sometimes 1 think thai ill the tournament, aUowing it to claims that his negative actions •,j • . -• - * these players were bora with a stay in the streets this year. resulted in a large audience." - . ; basketball in their hands,** ob- Isenhoff claimed thai his law- said McNeal, alias Gus Macker. served Larry Isenhoff after Gus suit attracted about 5,000 extra McNeal attributed the tourna- Macker's 13th Annual 3-00-3 spectators and various media ment'i growth to the uniqueness m | Basketball Tournament ended crews to the 2 1/2 day tourna- of it. He said that media crews M Sunday night. And all their ment. He had hoped that some from ESPN, ABC, and Sports mothers had twins. " media attention would allow him niustnted centered on the origi- The largest tournament of its to make his intentions clear. nality of the tourney, being in kind in the world came to a close MI donl want people to call the streets of a small town, and Sunday evening, though a few me a grinch, " he said. "We (he not on Isenhoffs lawsuit. • w refused to let it end. and his wife, Mary) just wanted "It s the uniqueness of this After most of the crowd dissip- the tournament out of the streets, event that captured the atten- pated following the tournament- not out of existence.** tion.** McNeal said. "Nowhere ending slam-dunk contest, a few "I think we attracted a lot of else is there a tournament like players remained, trying desper- attention, but just as quick as we this one. It's just a fun time at- ately to keep the weekend alive. became famous 1 would like us mosphere that we have here. While clean-up crews were busy to become unknown again.** People were gathering around picking up trash, raking trampled Tournament founder Scott games in which they didn't even lawns and hauling off the move- McNeal doesn't believe Isenhoff know who was playing, just be- able bleachers, some die-hard is solely responsible for the in- cause they were having a good basketball fanatics hung around crease in spectators from 10,000 time." to recapture the glory of a lost last year to 15,000 this year. But McNeal enjoyed the onslaught w moment. he does think that Isenhoff at- of national recognition, but he M I don't think they can get tracted a few curiosity seekers. said that it did get a bit hilarious enough," Isenhoff remarked. "Sure he may have attracteu at nmes. Though most of Lowell was some attention, but we (Macker "It was a lot of fun." he said. sad to see the weekend come to officials) have been working on "It did get very loony though, an end, the Isenhoffs didn't mind this tournament for 13 years now; when all these reporters were A crowd looks on as two teams Jo battle in the top MVt ifriduu of lot weekend^ 13th at all. Last month, they were de- building it up to what it is today. asking me the same questions Annual Gus Macker 3-oo-3 Basketball Tburnament. 4.228 players showed their best for an over and over. " fatifMtrd 2-1/2 day audience of 15,000. McNeal was not the only one Craig Reinke, of Grand from cout to court under the dar- "It was a great weekend, " who enjoyed the invasion of Rapids, was one who refused to kening skies he eventually got Reinke said. "I can't wait till next Macker Maniacs last weekend. let the Macker end. After drifting enough courage to leave. year." Local business prospered well from the approximately 18.000 people who were in Lowell, Family Fare breaks ground population 3.700. for the tourna- ment. "It was excellent!" exclaimed Chris Wescott of Keiser's Kitchen. "We were packed all weekend. It was the best Macker group we've ever had. We couldn't have asked for more.** CLASS OF *66 TO CELEBRATE "We certainly profited from a it.*' said an employee at Lowell's The Lowell High School Class of 1966 is planning a twenty 7-11 store. "An event the size of year reunion at Deer Run Golf Club, Saturday, August 16. The the Macker will always benefit festivities begin at 7:00 p.m. The cost is $30.00 per couple or local businesses.** $15.00 per person. Call Linda Dykstra at 897-9317 or Judy Fried- By the time 8:30 rolled around rich at 897-7137 for further details. Sunday night most of the com- petition in the 54 divisions was CITY COUNCIL MEETING CANCELLED over and it was time for the much heralded slam-dunk contest. The The Lowell City Council has cancelled its meeting scheduled ram-it-home contest was the for Monday, July 21. The next meeting will be held on Monday, largest Macker attraction a(l ^^ugust 4 at 8:00 p.m. weekend. A crowd of about 300 encir- OFF THE BLOTTER cled the main court, and saw "Icy** Mike McCoy slam home Involved in a property damage accident on Friday, June 27,^ the victory. He secured his crown were Max Renick, 74. and David Strouse, 22, both of Lowell. of King Slammer with a Family Fare Presidcni. Don Koop. had the honors of shoveling the first mound of land at the The accident occurred on Monroe just north of Main. breathtaking vault over two of supermarket's ground-breaking ceremonies yesterday. Construction will begin in August, and A vehicle driven by Helen Con vers, 64, of Lowell was struck his friends, placed side-by-side the store will be completed by the construction company. A.C. Geened next April. from behind by a vehicle driven by James Dailey, 32, of Hastings. on their hands and knees. Still By Matt Berry Tm glad to see it*s finally port is very important," Kunnen The accident happened on Sunday, July 6. Converse and her pass- in mid-air he rammed it home After nearly a month of delay happening,** said Lowell Mayor added. enger. Shelly Converse. 17. both sustained minor injuries. with the grace of a spun web. construction will begin on Low- James Maatman. "There have Still in the planning stages is Terry Eickohoff. 28. of Lowell, struck a parked car on Main Most of the crowd had left at ell's first Family Fare supermar- been a lot of teases concerning a retail center to be located next ^Street near Lafayette the morning of Thursday. July 10. The parked the end of the slam-dunk contest. ket. when construction would start. to the supermarket, of which Vvehicle. owned by Jay May. was sent onto the sidewalk and thnygh A few remained to receive Officials from Family Fare, so we're glad to see it get under- owners A. C. Geenen will lease a window in the front of Pfaller's Clothing. Gerald Felling, of trophies and finish late-running construction company A.C. way. We're very proud to have space to retail merchants. Belding. a passenger in the Eickhoff vehicle, sustained injuries. games, but by 9 o'clock the Geenen and the City of Lowell Family Fare here." Charles Geenen stressed that Possible mechanical failure may have been the cause of an injury clean-up crew arrived to tuck were present yesterday for Both Koop and Ron Kunnen. thelbesday morning ceremonies accident on Fremont St. at Jefferson St. on Thursday, July 10. A Mackerville in bed for another ground breaking ceremonies at Executive Vice President of Bun- were for Family Fare, and A.C. vehicle driven by Jay May. 25, of Lowell, struck a tree in the year. the project's 95,000 sq. ft. site. ily Fare, praised Lowell for its Geenen is not yet ready to release mishap. May and a passenger. David Stevens. 25. both reported The store will be located on W. community support of the super- information on it's mall project. minor injuries. PRECISION * FASHION Main across from MarLee's Vil- market. When the supermarket is com- A 15 year old juvenile was injured Thursday, July 10. when he HAIRSTYLING - For both lage Inn and Pizza Express. pleted. Johnsons Food Basket, "We had been looking at Low- made a left turn off from Main into a private drive. The youth men and women. Man's World Don Koop, President of Fam- 505 W. Main, will sell its inven- ell for a long time before we de- was riding a moped and was struck by a car driven by Patrick Hairatyling. Phone 897-8102. ily Fare, said that construction tory to Family Fare. Ron Kun- cided to build here,*' Koop said. will begin at the Spartan Store, nen. Executive Vice President of ^Flower. 28. of Ionia. "We're very pleased with this • Ricky Sorenson, 29. of Lowell, was arrested by Lowell Police Appointments cot always Inc. affiliate in August. Charles Family Fare, said that a contract community." Officers on Thursday, July 10. on a warrant held by Walker City needed at Vanity Hair Fash- Geenen added that his company has been signed by both parties. Police for failure to appear in Court. Sorenson was lodged in the ions, Open six days Lowell. will have the supermarket com- We've received a lot of sup- Kent County Jail.