Cover of Recipe Book!

Price:  $15 each or 2/$25

Books are available at:

ChoiceOne Bank

Independent Bank

Rogue River Credit Union

Sparta Township Hall

Read the full article in the Advance Newspapers:

http://www.mlive.com/northwestadvance/index.ssf/2010/08/chambers_cookbook_pays_tribute.html

Peach Ridge Smorgasbord History (coming soon!)

Read more about the Harvest on the Ridge Events & Activities!

Celtic Heritage Celebration

In Downtown Sparta

Rogers Park

(75 N. Union, Sparta, MI )

Saturday, August 14th

10 am – 10 pm

Celtic Crafts, Entertainment, Live

Dancers, Celtic music, Food, Celtic Themed Kids Games, Beer tent & more!

Free Parking!

Celtic Entertainment Schedule

Rogers Park (75 N. Union, Sparta, MI 49345)

10:00 AM             Grand Rapids and District Pipe Band        Band

11:00 AM             Lee Mulder                                                         Traditional Singer            

12:00 PM             Thistlehead                                                        Traditional Celtic Music 

1:00 PM                Ardan Academy of Irish Dance                   Irish Dancing     

2:00 PM                Grand Rapids and District Pipe Band        Band

3:00 PM                Twin Thistle                                                        14 year old Brother and Sister Act            

4:00 PM                Traditional Irish Dancers                                Dancers

5:00 PM                Washback Raven                                              Traditional & Original Celtic Music

6:00 PM                Toby Bresnahan                                                               Traditional & Original Celtic Music

7:00 PM                Wren Boys                                                          Traditional & Original Celtic Music

8:00 PM-              “Super Session”                                                                Celtic Artist Music Participation

CELTIC MARKETPLACE VENDOR BOOTH (pdf)

Join the Sparta Chamber in a night of cultural experiences in Rogers Park on Monday, July 19th at 7 pm as we travel to Belgium and back all from the seat of a lawn chair!   Take part of a free evening out for the entire family by enjoying cooking demonstrations from Italy, learn a few tips of etiquette from the Netherlands, and experience a 60 member dance troop on tour from Belgium.  You may even pick up a few phrases in other languages and perhaps even win some prizes!  Be sure to bring a lawn chair! Rogers Park is located directly behind the Sparta Civic Center at 75 N. Union Street, Sparta, MI 49345.  The night of entertainment is free. 

A Trip To Belgium

Monday, July 19th

7 pm

Rogers Park

Follow us on our journey as we travel to different countries!  This cultural night is brought to you by the Sparta Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the Blue Lakes Fine Arts Program thanks to a grant from the Michigan Arts Council.

Special thank you to Tim Smith from the Sparta Church of the Nazarene for help in securing housing for the Belgium Dance Troop.

2009 Apple Dessert Contest Judges

We are looking for the best homemade apple dessert in Sparta! We’ll be judging the desserts on Wednesday, July 14th, 2010 at The Sparta Town & Country Days Concert in the Park in downtown Sparta. Please read the rules and complete the application if you would like to participate.

2010 APPLE DESSERT ENTRY FORM

Bring a finished dessert to Rogers Park (75 N Union, Sparta, MI 49345) near to the Band Shell for judging by 6 pm. Judging begins at 6:30 pm.

• The desserts will be judged according to the best tasting apple based dessert.
• A panel of community leaders will judge the event.
• All desserts must contain apples as their primary ingredient.
• All desserts become property of Sparta Town & Country Days. (Pans and dishes may be picked up at 8 pm at the judging table.)
• Winners will be announced at the Concert Intermission (approximately 7:45 pm)
• Winners will receive prizes!
• The winning submission may submit their recipe for promotion by the Sparta Chamber of Commerce and Sparta Town & Country days (if they so choose to submit).

Please send in this form by July 14th to:

Apple Dessert Contest

156 E. Division

Sparta, MI 49345

ddadirector@spartami.org

E-recycling:

Meadowlark in Sparta has become an official e-recycle center.  Electronic waste is harmful to our environment. When we put it in our landfills, e-Waste can leak harmful toxins into our soil and water. You can help make a difference! Recycle your electronics (most any item with a cord or battery) and Comprenew will wipe all computer hard drives.

Comprenew is the recycle company and their mission is to inspire our community to live and work in a sustainable manner.  Any item you would like to recycle you can bring in and drop off in the tub by the washing machines in the beauty shop.       Meadowlark is located at 65 Ida Red (located behind McDonalds).

 Acceptable Items

Recycle Newspaper!

Visit the Sparta Lions Newspaper Recycle Truck to drop off your discarded newspapers!  Help the environment and help the Sparta Lions.  All the proceeds from the Recycle Truck are donated to children in the community that need eye-glasses.  The Recycle Truck is located at 108 N. State Street (across from Sparta Lanes).  ONLY Newspaper material may be collected at this site. 

Participate in Rotary Environmental Creek Clean Up Day! 

Each year, Sparta Rotary invites community members, business leaders, and organizations to lend a hand in cleaning up garbage and litter from the banks of Nash Creek.  By removing the potential contaminants from the banks of Nash Creek, they are stopping the potential pollution that affect aquatic ecosystems.  Nash Creek eventually pours into larger streams and rivers, like the Rogue River.  Eventually water from Nash Creek will make its way into Lake Michigan.  Any reduction in pollutants that we can do in Sparta, will make the waterways of West Michigan cleaner, too.  Take time to visit your favorite creek or rivers and clean up the garbage that will end up in our waterways.  Rotary Creek Clean up Day is Monday, April 26, 2010 from 3 – 6 pm.  Meet behind Rogers Hardware and bring gloves, boots, and prepare to help the environment!

RECYCLE Everything you can!

Where Can I Take Recyclables?

Kent County operates recycling drop off sites for their residents. The North Kent Transfer Station accepts plastics, paper, glass, metals, and cardboard. For more information call 1-888-217-2850 or 616-336-2570.

North Kent Transfer Station
2908 Ten Mile Rd., Rockford.

Monday thru Saturday
7:30 am to 5:00 pm
(excludes holidays)

Recyclables are not garbage; they are commodities we must sell to be made into new products.

Dirty materials cannot be sold and will become trash. Make sure recyclables are clean and free of liquids and food. Please follow all directions and include only those items listed below.

Glass

Clear and colored food and beverage glass containers.

Food and beverage containers.

Preparation: Rinse clean. Remove metal and plastic rings. Recycle lids separately.

Glass items not accepted: dishes, ceramics, light bulbs, mirrors, windowpanes, automobile glass, and other non-food and beverage glass.

Metal

Steel Cans

Food and beverage containers, empty aerosol cans.

Preparation: Rinse cans clean. Aerosol cans must be completely empty. Remove and discard caps and nozzles.

Steel items not accepted: bakeware, pots, pans, utensils, hangers, car parts or scrap metal, fencing, propane cylinders.

Aluminum Foil And Cans

Food and beverage (non-deposit) containers, foil, pie tins.

Preparation: Wash foil very clean, no food deposits or residue can remain. Rinse cans clean.

Aluminum items not accepted: foil backed paper, gum wrappers, foil wrapping paper, pots, pans, lawn furniture, siding, window frames and doors.

Recyclable Plastics in Kent County

Plastic

Plastic items are often stamped with a number, 1 thru 7, placed inside a recycling triangle. The numbered triangle is usually located on or near the bottom of the plastic item. The number indicates what kind of plastic the item is made of, allowing us to sort the plastics accordingly.

Plastic Containers #1 through #7 (NO Styrofoam)

Milk jugs; water, detergent and shampoo bottles; butter tubs; yogurt cups; microwave food trays; plant flats & flower pots; peanut butter jars and other plastic containers stamped #1-#7 (excluding Styrofoam).

Preparation: Remove caps to allow the container to dry out. Wash all containers clean.

Plastic GROCERY BAGS #2 and #4

Preparation: Bags should be clean, dry and empty (no coupons, store receipts, or items inside bags). Grocery bags have the #2 or #4 printed on them, telling us what kind of plastic it is made from. Other plastic bags do not, so they should not be recycled.

Plastic items not accepted: bottles containing automotive fluids or hazardous materials (they cannot safely be rinsed); Styrofoam (cups, plates, peanuts, packaging materials); plastic film and other non-rigid plastic (like garbage bags, Ziptop bags, drycleaners bags, etc.)

Paper

Newspaper, Magazines, Brown Paper Bags, Junk Mail and Paperboard

Newspapers (including inserts); typing, writing, and computer paper; junk mail, envelopes, fliers; magazines & catalogs; brown paper bags; shoe boxes, cracker boxes and cereal boxes (paperboard).

Preparation: Place paper items in brown paper bags or place loose in appropriate drop site bin. Please do not put paper in plastic bags or cardboard boxes.

Paper items not accepted: pet food bags, milk & juice cartons, wrapping paper, tissue, Kleenex, napkins, paper towels, wax paper, used paper plates, paper with food or food stains, telephone books.

Corrugated Cardboard

Heavy shipping and packaging boxes with a ‘wavy’ inner layer.

Preparation: Remove all plastic liners and inserts, strapping, staples and wrapping. Flatten boxes.

Box types not accepted: boxes with glued-in Styrofoam or plastic packing; boxes with heavy staples; boxes with metal or plastic strapping.

Telephone books are not accepted for recycling because of the weight, bindings and space limitations in our sorting facility.

Electronics

Computers & accessories (keyboard, mouse, etc.), monitors, televisions, printers/plotters, fax machine, scanners, VCR, DVD, video game machines (Play Station, Game Boy), microwave, audio equipment, video camera, digital camera, networking gear, cordless telephone.

Electronic devices can be dropped off at the North Kent Transfer Station, the South Kent Landfill and the Materials Recycling Facility during normal business hours. This program is free of charge for Kent County residents.

Individuals may also drop off working electronics and non-working computers at a local Goodwill donation center.

Before you try to recycle an item not specifically addressed on this page, call our office at (616) 336-2570 ext. 0 to determine if the item can be recycled.

Including materials that are not listed can make the recyclable material unusable. For example, broken window glass thrown in with the other clear glass bottles and jars ruins the whole load. Manufacturers cannot process different types of glass together and there is no way to sort out window glass from container glass.

Do not take a chance on ruining valuable materials. When in doubt, throw it out!

Thank You for Recycling!

If you have additional Recycling Questions or would like more information on services and programs available through the Kent County Department of Public Works, please call (616) 336-2570.

Dispose of Hazardous Waste Correctly!

The average U.S. household can have as much as 100 pounds of hazardous waste stored throughout their house and garage. Improper disposal of these materials can contaminate drinking water, harm the environment, and create health hazards for you and your family. Simple alternatives can replace many hazardous substances. However, if you choose to use commercial products, make sure to dispose of them properly!

What Household Hazardous Waste Can I Dispose?

• Oil based paints and stains
• Paint thinner
• Pool chemicals
• Weed killers
• Insecticides & pesticides
• Cleaners
• Household batteries
•  Gasoline & kerosene
• Mercury & acids
• Automobile liquids
• Solvents

Where Can I Take My Household Hazardous Waste?

 To drop off your household hazardous waste, schedule an appointment with the Kent County Department of Public Works to participate in the free Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program for Kent County residents. To schedule an appointment, or for additional information, call 1-888-217-2850 or 616-336-2570. Appointments can be made at any of the four centers located in Kent County. For more information on this program visit: www.accesskent.com.

Hazardous Waste Center nearest to you: 

2908 Ten Mile Road, Rockford

Fridays, 9am-12 pm

Harvest on the Ridge Apple Festival: September 24 & 25, 2010

With Town and Country Days just around the corner and Harvest on the Ridge approaching, we are asking community members to help out and submit their famous recipes.

We want your most tasty dessert, appetizer, main dish or any combination you can think of to be included in our recipe book that will be coming out next fall.

People always talk about Grandma’s famous batch of cookies or mom’s famous meatloaf. Well it’s your turn to become famous and show Sparta how good of a cook you are!

Submit Your Recipe:

1) Simply go to www.typensave.com and click on “login,” which is located on the right side of the page.

2) Type the following information to submit your recipe:

       Contributor: Your Name (as it will appear in the cook book)

       Group Login: harvestrecipes (all one word)

       Password: b32ue

3) When you are logged in, simply type your recipe’s name, ingredients and instructions of how to make your masterpiece.

Feel free to submit as many recipes as you want. It will be greatly appreciated. Submission deadline is April 1, 2010.

Cookbooks will be available for purchase in June through the Sparta Chamber offices.

If you have any questions, please contact the Sparta Chamber office at (616) 887-2454.

We look forward to publishing your recipes!

Thurs. Dec. 10^th 6-8 pm *** RESCHEDULED FOR FRIDAY, DEC. 18th 6-8 PM DUE TO WEATHER! *** Pet Night with Santa in Santa House! Bring your furry friend to visit Santa in the Santa House! (80 N. Union, Sparta) Prepare to wait outdoors while waiting your turn! Pet food, blanket, or cash donations will receive a free photo of your pet and Santa!

Sat. Dec. 12^th 10:15 am – 1 pm Santa Train, Santa Parade & Visit with Santa! (Bring your camera for photos with Santa!) Watch as Santa, Mrs. Claus, and their elves arrive on Marquette Rail into town! Follow Santa in a Kids Parade to the Santa House. Train arrives at 10:15 am; parade begins at 10:30 am. (Train 240 E. Division; Santa House 80 N. Union Street, Sparta)

Arrive between 9:45 am to 10:10 am to enter to win a FREE chance to ride with Santa in the Parade! Each child must be present to enter. Drawing will be held at 10:10 am.

Two of Santa’s live reindeer will be visiting near the Santa House after the parade until Noon! From 11am-1 pm enjoy free Horse Drawn Wagon Rides!

Tues. Dec. 15^th 6-8 pm Santa House is Open! Bring your camera! (80 N. Union, Sparta)

Tues. Dec. 15^th 6:30-7:30 pm Christmas Craft and Story time at the Sparta Township Library from with snacks and Christmas book raffle!

Thurs. Dec. 17^th 6-8 pm Santa House is Open! Bring your camera! (80 N. Union, Sparta)

Sat. Dec. 19^th 11 – 1 pm Santa House is Open! Bring your camera! (80 N. Union, Sparta)

Tues. Dec. 22^nd 6-8 pm Santa House is Open! Bring your camera! (80 N. Union, Sparta)

Thurs. Dec. 24^th 6-9 pm Free Horse Drawn Trolley Rides through a luminary wonderland on Harper Drive! Load and unload at the Sparta Fire Department (70 N. State, Sparta). Free cider & treats provided by Hessel-Cheslek Funeral Home.

Thank you to our sponsors of Old Fashioned Christmas for brining Santa to town for the community to enjoy. Please be sure to thank our sponsors!!!

Hessel-Cheslek

Moore & Bruggink

ChoiceOne

North Kent Towing

Independent Bank

Northern Physical Therapy

Sparta Church of the Nazarene

Sparta Tire

What Old Fashioned Christmas events did we celebrate this year?

Tues. Dec. 1^st 6-8 pm Santa Party! Visit Santa at the Santa Party and decorate cookies, take pictures with Santa, create crafts, airbrush tattoos, enjoy a hot dog dinner and music! Only $1 per person at the Sparta Civic Center (75 N. Union, Sparta).

]]> http://spartachamber.com/coc/2009/11/13/old-fashioned-chirstmas-activities/feed/ 0 http://spartachamber.com/coc/2009/10/22/moonlight-madness-sales-in-sparta/ http://spartachamber.com/coc/2009/10/22/moonlight-madness-sales-in-sparta/#comments Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:37:50 +0000 DDA http://spartachamber.com/coc/?p=1317

On Friday, October 30, visit downtown Sparta to participate in the Moonlight Madness Sales from 5 – 7 pm.  Check out the discounts at participating stores: Moonlight Madness 2009!

Costume Contests, sales from 15% to 25% off, prizes, cookies, coffee, and more!  At these sale prices, you can pick up some early Christmas gifts, pick out something fun for you, and have a night of entertainment for your kids!

Kids:

1. Never put anything into an electrical outlet.
2. Never take apart or try to fix electrical things.
3. Don’t have anything that has a power cord near water (bathtub, sink, puddle).
4. Always let an adult plug and unplug electrical things, (Computer, TV, games).
5. Always tell a adult about a appliance that is smoking, smells funny or sparking.

When you are outside:

1. Never climb a power pole.
2. Never fly a kite near power lines.
3. After a thunder storm, stay out of puddles.  There might be a fallen power line in it.

Parents:

1. Do not overload electrical outlets.
2. Make sure electrical cords are in good working condition.
3. Never “fix” a frayed power cord.  Throw it away.
4. Never splice together power cords to make a longer one.
5. Never run a power cord under a rug to “hide” it.
6. Have safety caps inserted in outlets when small children are around.
7. Always have a working fire extinguisher in the house.  Know how to use it.

Electrical fires kill 500 people a year.  By taking precautions and educating our children in fire safety, we can all make our homes safer.

Lt. Mary-Ann Meyer

Sparta Fire Department

mary-annmeyer@charter.net

chiefbolen@aol.com

 2010 Brick Engraving Order Form here