Milestones on Mainstreet – See you at the Curb!

“See you at the curb” is the motto for the revived homecoming parade in Sparta this year. When I read this it made me think of the fun we had, during homecoming week, when I was in high school in the early 1970’s. We would gather, weeks in advance of homecoming, in someone’s barn and [...]

Milestones on Mainstreet: Summer of ’71

It was the summer of 1971 and there was an air of excitement in Sparta. We were celebrating our one hundred and twenty fifth birthday!  Our Quasquicentennial! I had just completed my sophomore year and had secured my dream summer job at Momber’s  Pharmacy. This was shaping up to be the best summer of my [...]

Milestones on Mainstreet: History of Sparta Township

For years Sparta graduate Kathryn Paasch had harbored the desire to write a book.  In 2010, while researching through the files and photos of Sparta’s history, the sister duo JoAnne VanderWerff and Jayne Paasch, Kathryn Paasch’s Aunt & Mother-in-Law who are actively involved in the Sparta Township Historical Commission, discussed how to “tell” the story [...]

Milestones on Mainstreet: Days of the Peach Ridge Apple Smorgasbord

1951 – The First Time Sixty three different apple dishes and recipes will be whipped up for the one day occasion by about 30 of the Peach Ridge farm women.  One of the farm wives have called the new Apple Smorgasbord event a “wonderfully fresh idea”.  The smorgasbord itself seems that it might become a [...]

Milestones on Mainstreet: Civic Center IS a true Community Building

Researched by Jayne Paasch and JoAnne VanderWerff 1949 With Harry S. Truman as President of the United States, the Sparta division of the Muskegon Piston Ring Company is looking to donate $25,000 to the Sparta Community Foundation for the purpose of building a community building.  Building Committee chairperson, C. Laurence Johnson is working with Glenn [...]

Milestones on Mainstreet: Engines & Fruit

Gasoline Engine The introduction of the new line of gasoline engines has Sparta residents excited, especially the farmers.  The Holm Machine Manufacturing Company, located in Sparta, Michigan, is manufacturing the first Sears Economy Engines.  Production began last year in 1909. Local farmers are being charged $100 to $150 dollars for a 2-horse power engine that [...]

Milestones on Mainstreet: An Elderberry Jubilee

A Big Idea It is the year of our Lord, 1981, and Peace Lutheran Church is preparing to add a sanctuary to the existing building.  The members of the congregation believe it is their duty to help with the financial situation to lessen the burden than by simply increasing the weekly offering.  There is rumor [...]

Milestones on Mainstreet: Raising a New Church: August 2009

 Raising a New Church Its just turning 1884, and four families, George W. Reed, Gilbert Bettes, along with their wives from Lisbon & Daniel and Israel Smith and their wives, from Sparta, decide to start a church in Sparta.  The families know this was not to be taken lightly, as there were already many churches [...]

Milestones on Main Street: The Big Shootout of ’71: June 2009

The Big Shootout of ’71  It’s a warm Saturday morning on main street, and Sharkey Badgerow has just been murdered… again. He jolts and spins and clutches his chest, blood oozing from his wounds. He finally drops to the pavement and gives one last kick.   Several gang members throw him on the flatbed. The [...]

Milestones on Main Street: The Great Treasure Hunt of ’69: April 2009

The Great Treasure Hunt of ’69  It’s a hot July morning in Sparta, 1969.  Armstrong and Aldrin have just landed on the moon.  But for the moment Bob Schwab is more interested in a station wagon pulling away from his dump, leaving an old couch behind.  To anybody else it looks like junk.  But to [...]

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