“I am not sure any of us knew how much time it would take to sift through the hundreds of old newspapers, photos and files” that the STHC has collected over the years, says Jayne Paasch, “but we soon realized it would be a labor of love.”  All of the volunteers have roots Sparta, however, “I don’t think any of us knew in detail the history of our community. We learned so much about this great community and those who worked to create it.”

By breaking the book up into time periods, subjects, and activities that would soon become chapters, the researchers interviewed people who had a story to tell.  “We learned that Sparta is filled with people who have wonderful memories to share or who were able to add texture and detail to stories that we found in old newspapers or identify people in old photographs. Jayne Paasch adds, “It was a joy to talk with them.”

Possibly the most difficult part of the project was to choose which of the thousands of photographs property of the STHC.  Arcadia Publishing has strict standards about the quality of the picture and therefore eliminated the use of many aging photographs. With the help of technology, Jeff VanSyckle was able to salvage many pictures that otherwise would not have qualified.

Pictured here is the family research team that worked to create “Sparta Township” due to hit bookstores in March. Left to right: (Top) Jeff VanSyckle, Jenifer VanSyckle, Kathryn Paasch, (Bottom) JoAnne VanerWerff, Jayne Paasch.

Editing any type of document can be daunting, but the family team worked diligently, often late into the night with hopes of creating a history of Sparta in photographs.  One of the hardships was the discrepancies in sources of historic information the group researched.  “It was so important to us that we tell the story as accurately as possible and without error. We soon learned that each source had a story to tell. Old newspapers, old yearbooks and letters sometimes told the story differently. We did our best with the information we had and made peace with ourselves and our history.”

Six months later, and a published story about Sparta Township will be hitting the book shelves in March.  However, Paasch is quick to add, “Not the definitive story of our town, but a story told from the perspective of people who have lived, worked and grown up here.”  With the help of her family as her research team and the Sparta Township Historic Commission, the dream of Kathryn Paasch has come true.  “Sparta Township” by Kathryn Paasch will be released March 14, 2011.  Kathryn Paasch stated that all proceeds will benefit the Sparta Township Historic Commission.  Visit www.spartahistory.org to see the upcoming dates and times of the book signing events.

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 very time consuming affair, as over 250 hours of weekly planning meetings have already taken place to prepare for the upcoming event.  Farm wives are discussing making recipes like Ham and Apples, such as hams basted in sweet cider and garnished by coconut covered cinnamon apples.  It is estimated that the event will serve about 100 farm folk and some specially invited visitors.  The farm wives are in charge of arranging apple smorgasbord tables, and the farmers will be showing some guests a close-up of apple production problems and practices.  It is heard that food editors from Detroit, Cleveland, and Toledo are invited to the event to draw attention to the fact that apples are good for many things besides munching and this year will be a bumper crop.  

The early part of September was chosen for the Smorgasbord, because the apple harvest begins then, and once the picking starts, everything else becomes secondary until the fruit is in storage.

1953 – It’s Really Taking Off

A Record 131 Dishes are sitting on the Apple Smorgasbord Table for this third annual event.  This year it is held in the yards of the Kober brothers, John and William on Peach Ridge Rd.  The ladies are beginning to swap recipes and sample the delicacies.  This year, besides apple dishes, there are nine turkeys that are furnished free by the Michigan Turkey Growers Association.

This year will also host stunts, games, contest, and auctions.  Wilbur Reister, it’s over heard in the group at the dessert table, is said to have accepted the chairman position of the 1954 smorgasbord already.  Apple industry leaders including Representative Gerald R. Ford, Senator Charles Feenstra, and Rep. Irving Pennington are expected to be present.   Looking around this beautiful layout of food, virtually everyone along the Peach Ridge seems to be in attendance and is contributing toward the success of the event. 

1954

Rain may become a factor in the big Apple Smorgasbord tomorrow.  Tonight, the men are working to erect a big tent, install the necessary electricity to run automatic deep fat fryers for the hot apple fritters and roasters for the hot apple-vegetable combinations, and put up the tables.  Umlor orchards are expected to host over 500 local growers and their special invited guests to the fourth annual event. 

One of the wives commented about the successes of the past few years, “We knew that a complete meal could be made of apple dishes!” 

1956 

The smorgasbord is becoming a real community affair, but for those who don’t “know” someone, the event is strictly by invitation only.  This year, Mr. & Mrs. Herbert Reister, of Conklin, will host the event with 600 guests expected and over 200 apple based recipes.  The big copper kettle is heating up for the churning of Apple butter later this afternoon.  Aunt Jemima, in her full dress, just arrived and is warming up her griddle for the apple filled pancakes she is planning to make. 

1958

The downpour of rain, which came shortly after the dinner was served today in the 8^th annual picnic, made sure the farmers stayed busy that afternoon pulling out mud caked vehicles.  It took seven farm tractors to pull the 300 cars out of the oat field.  “Not a single car in the jam-packed parking area could move out on its own power”, said D.J. Johnson earlier today. 

Even with the rain, two interesting decorations highlighted the event with a five tier 30^th anniversary cake for the Peach Ridge Fruit Growers Association designed and baked by Mrs. Geo. Kober and the beautiful apple replica of the Mackinac Bridge designed by Janet Kober. 

1971

Each year, the Smorgasbord has changed, evolved and grown.  This year, the tables will feature apple cookies in addition to the breads, desserts, salads, and more on the lawns of Robert Umlor.   In attendance this year will be the 1971 Kent-Ottawa Apple Queen Charlene Schmidt and the 1970 State Apple Queen Brenda Lee Rasch.   The Committee, which features literally dozens and dozens of farmers and their wives to pull of this event, agree that the original intent of the Smorgasbord was stated well by one committee member, “They wanted to have a real picnic, so for that reason decided to have the Apple Smorgasbord outdoors at the homes of different members.  Each year, they tried to improve and add something new in the way of food, as well as entertainment.”  Throughout the past 20 years, the Peach Ridge Fruit Growers Association has become a more unified and better acquainted group through the combined efforts of all to make our Smorgasbord a success.

Information obtained from:

From the notes of the 6^th annual Peach Ridge committee in 1956

Ridge Economic Agricultural Partners website www.fruitridgemarket.com

Numerous Sparta Reminder, Sentenial Leader, and Grand Rapids Press Newspaper articles

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 of two board members on the Christian Fellowship board, Mary Preston Barends and Ethelyn Anderson, who are talking about planning something “big” to help decrease the mortgage for the much desired addition.   

The Plan Comes Together

The idea is moving forward throughout the congregation and to family and friends to invite the community to participate in a new Fall Festival.  Owners of Bradford Insurance Agency, Don and Duane Bradford, are throwing around the idea of an Elderberry Jubilee.  There is little debate after Don and Duane bring in one of Mrs. Bradford’s elderberry pies and they inform everyone how the elderberry bushes grow along the side of the road and along fence rows in farmer’s fields.  The elderberry bush is never cultivated, sprayed or trimmed, but is a natural forming crop.  The group begins to roll out plans for an Elderberry Jubilee over Elderberry Pie.

The First Event in 1981

The first Elderberry Jubilee, scheduled for September 12, 1981, is rumored to have a lot of activities at the 12 Mile Road church.  Children’s activities, baton twirling, Terry Tice, Puppet Shows, Maycroft Sq Tappers, a Bazaar and bake sale, produce stand, fishing booth, cake walks, t-shirt sales and corn roast are among some of the activities that the group is planning.  A pig roast will be held in the afternoon with a live auction that will include a Hot Air Balloon Ride, Marco Island Vacation, Quilts and more. 

Growing Each Year

The success of the first year Jubilee has the group brain storming for the upcoming years.  In future years, the group is considering including a float during the next Town & Country Day parade, and including an Elderberry Jubilee Queen and her court.  The group is also discussing putting together a set of by-laws, duties of the chairman and committees they will need to make the next event a success. 

Jubilee in 1982

The 2^nd year of the event will include an Elderberry Ball at the Bee Hive in Sparta.  The Harvest Home Band has agreed to play the event with round and square dancing.  The cost will be $15 a couple and the crowning of the 1982 Elderberry Queen will take place.  Andy Rent from radio station WCUZ will host a remote broadcast on location.  The days events will include a men’s slow pitch softball tournament, and the new Elderberry Road Run will start at 9 am. 

Changing Gears in 1991

The success of the past 10 years of Elderberry Jubilee has helped pay off a large part of the mortgage of the addition made 10 years ago, as was the goal of the event.  Each year the Jubilee has turned into an enormous undertaking.  Rather than stop the event altogether, the congregation will probably vote to have a smaller festival in the fall that would include the pig roast dinner and auction. 

Jubilee in 2009

Peace Lutheran is working hard once again to bring the family friendly festivities to Sparta with Children’s Games, arts & Craft booths, Elderberry wine, jams, and pie for auction.  The pig roast is scheduled for 2 – 4 pm with the donations helping fund its community pantry.  On October 10, be sure to enjoy the food and auction at 3 pm at Peace Lutheran Church located at 1225 12 Mile Road in Sparta.  Call (616) 887-9417 for more information.

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 in the Lisbon area, which was growing and thriving, but there is not Free Methodist Church in that area yet.  Following up on this, the families take a leap of faith and hold the first service of the newly formed Free Methodist Church at the home of Israel Smith on August 15, 1884.

Growing the Members

Its been rumored that Reverend C.S. Gitchell will preside and give the first sermon.  The hope is by the new churches following that by November of 1884 the group will have Officers, Sunday School Teachers, and Song Leaders, along with Pastor M. Dafoe.  The growing group of church members of the newly formed church begin looking for land on which to build a building.

Building a Church

It’s late 1885 and a parcel of land was just purchased on Grove Street in Sparta for the building of the new church.  The group of members of the church continues to grow and construction is planned to begin in 1886.  the construction shouldn’t take more than a year, and the group is looking forward to completing the construction by the end of 1886. 

The first service in the building will be held on March 20, 1886 with a new pastor that’s come to town, Rev. E. W. Chapman presiding. Its thought that new property should be bought on the north east corner of Grove and Union from Israel Smith.  Eventually the old property would be purchased by the Sparta School System.

Much to the members delight, a 625 lb. bell will be purchased and placed in the belfry.

Worship is held regularly in the new building, but the building will not be dedicated until all debts and furnishings for the church are paid off.  It is a long wait for some, but the members of the church are steadfast and continue to raise funds for their beloved church.

Finally, on June 8, 1890 during the ministry of Rev. E. Snyder, a special dedication services is held.

Sharing a Pastor

Eventually, Rev. Caywood is appointed Pastor of Sparta-Tyrone circuit followed in 1891 by Rev. Hudnutt.  He is then followed by Rev. J.E. Sanders.  Even from the start of the Sparta Free Methodist Church, it continues to be engaged in the planting of other churches, such as the church in Kent City and in Ravenna planned to open in 1885 and even one in Grand Rapids set to begin in 1886.  The pastor lives in Sparta and travels by horse and buggy to our neighboring communities to these newly formed churches.

On January 19 1943, a fire brakes out and the roof of the Sparta Free Methodist Church is nearly destroyed.  There is going to be extensive damage to other parts of the church also.  This does not hold back the members of the church, though.  Repairs will be made by the members and the church will move forward. 

In 1966, the church becomes weakened by a split in the congregation.  Eventually, hurt feeling and old wounds will heal and the church is moving forward, stronger than ever. 

 Current Day

In 1996, Pastor Jennings Johnson was sent to close the church.  The congregation rallied and Pastor Johnson remained with the church until his retirement in 2008.

In 2007, the church was renamed New Life Free Methodist and in July of 2008, Pastor Richard Ferris was sent to continue working in the church.

 Today, many outreach ministries have been started and are growing stronger.  These include: food & clothing panty, outreach to overseas service men and women, outreach to senior assisted living centers, Children’s church ministry, youth group, kids club, Christmas family outreach, ministry program at Muskegon Rescue Mission, Monthly “Little Taste of Heaven” concerts and potluck, Women’s brunch and tea parties, and many more.  Sunday schools begins at 9:30 am on Sunday mornings and Sunday worship services are at 10:45 am and 6:00 pm.  On Wednesday evenings, a prayer meeting and Kids Club begin at 7:00 pm.

On September 12, 2009 the New Life Free Methodist will be celebrating the 125^th anniversary with events in Rogers Park, inviting everyone in the community to participate. 

If you have questions regarding New Life Free Methodist Church, please contact Pastor Rick at raferris2@verizon.net or call the church at (616) 887-7441.

For more information about the Sparta Township Historic Commission, please contact them at (616) 887-8863 or by calling Chairperson Martin ‘Bud’ Pulsifer at (616) 887-1566.

 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 driver lashes the mules and the wagon speeds away. Murder in downtown Sparta is common occurrence since the Dirty Dingus Gang arrived. And the crowds love it.

 The Quasquicentennial

In 1971 Sparta celebrates its 125^th anniversary. It’s a big happening with many activities. Some of the village men grow beards as the event approaches. Then one day, they put together a real gang to promote the festivities.

 The Dirty Dingus Gang

The Dirty Dingus Gang is born, with 12 original members. Gary Delang, Dale May, Jerry Teasdale, Dick Greeno, Art Frisk, Dick McKinney, Sharkey Badgerow, Stub Vandenhout, Don Reed, Dale Rosel, Ted Anderson and Al Keck.

 The gang arm themselves with muzzle loaders, shotguns and rifles from the local VFW. Their team of mules gallops through town during various events and the gang shoot it up with blank ammo. It’s a crowd pleaser.   

 The Badgerows  

One of the stars is Sharkey Badgerow. His grandfather, Charles, is of French descent and grows up in the Upper Peninsula. Charles and two brothers serve in the Civil War. The brother’s die in Libby prison in Confederate Virginia.

 Later, Charles arrives in Sparta and opens a billiard hall on main street. Not an establishment of the highest repute, according to Sharkey. Charles later opens a grocery store on the corner of Gardner and State.

 Sharkey

Two generations later, Sharkey is one of five grandsons born in the family house on the corner of Centennial and Union. In 1942 he is drafted into the U.S. Army where he participates in the liberation of North Africa. In 1945, he meets his wife, Lunita from Mississippi.

 Business, horology and gemology

Sharkey majors in business administration and horology, the science and repair of time keeping instruments, at Ferris. He also gets a degree in gemology. Back in Sparta, he and an uncle open a jewelry store on Gardner street.

 Later the business moves to main street, where it is still located. No merchant has been active on main street longer than Sharkey. For 60 years he as been a real milestone known for his pleasant disposition and comic antics.

 Summer of ’71

Summer of 1971. “Knock Three Times” by Dawn is the top hit. “All in the Family” is the most popular TV show. Intel introduces the microprocessor, an invention that revolutionizes our lives. George Harrison organizes Concert for Bangladesh.

 In Sparta many activities are organized for the centennial, including a theatrical production on the high school football field involving hundreds of residents. A special memorial magazine features opening words by President Nixon.

 The President has more on his mind. Vietnam veteran John Kerry makes a plea in a Senate hearing to end the war. George Wallace, Governor of Alabama, rides a wave of anti-busing sentiment to become presidential candidate.

 The magnificent victim

In 1971 Sharkey is a founding member of the Dirty Dingus Gang. He has a special role: the victim. He appears out of the crowd wearing a big hat and long white coat. He shakes his fist and shouts at the gang. They respond with blazing guns. Sharkey dies magnificently in the street.  

 The gang are popular. They are invited to other towns for celebrations. Proceeds go to the Sparta Ambulance Fund. They also organize the first beer tent during Town and Country Days, a slightly rowdy tradition that continues in Sparta today.

Sharkey Badgerow lives with his wife Lunita in the family home on West Averill street. They have 4 children and 10 grand children. He still runs the family jewelry business at 169 East Division street.

 This Milestones on Main Street article was produced for Sparta Today. Input and contributions to this column are welcome. Please send your ideas to Dean Lettinga at hlet@hetnet.nl or contact Joan Lettinga at ‘Round Again in Sparta, 887-2414.

 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 Bob it’s a treasure.  Bob rolls the couch over and slashes the bottom lining with his jackknife.  Bingo!

 Among the lint and food crumbs are pennies, nickels and more.  A five dollar bill.  And a gold watch.  The kind bankers wear.  All lost items.  Bob knows every old sofa is a treasure chest waiting to be opened.

 From Trash to treasure.

 In the ’60s and ’70s, Bob Schwab’s garbage truck is a daily sight on Sparta streets.  He has a contract to pick up the trash and a permit to operate a dump on his Alpine property. 

 Bob knows everybody in town and loves a short chat with anybody, for both pleasure and business.  He’s a wheeler-dealer.  One person pays Bob to pick up the trash, like pallets or barrels.  Another needs pallets or barrels, and pays Bob to drop them off. 

 Bob Schwoop, born on a boat.

Bob Schwab grows up in Allentown, Pennsylvania, as Frank J. Schwab, the youngest son in a large Catholic family of German immigrants.  Born in 1912, he inists his birth certificate reads, “Bob Schwoop, born on a boat”.  He loves a good story.

 He is a relative of Charles Schwab, the millionaire founder of U.S. Steel.  His family includes Austrian-Hungarians in New York, among them a circus act called The Tumbling Nemos.  As a child, Bob tap dances for coins n the New York Streets.

 From Allentown to Grand Rapids

Bob joins the Navy in the 1920′s.  he leaves Norfolk on the USS Arizona to parts of call in Guantanamo, Port-au-Prince, and the Panama Canal.  Later in Life Bob would bear a striking resemblance to another sailorman- to Popeye, in voice, attitude and phical appearance.

 When the Arizona clears San Francisco, Bob and a buddy miss ship, officially AWOL.  They ride trains back east, landing in the brig at Pensacola Naval Station.

 The depression hits.  Bob hears there’s work in Michigan.  In Grand Rapids he gets a job as bellhop at the Pantlind Hotel.  Eventually the Shepherd Family hires him on the family farm. 

 True Grit

Bob marries Mildred Helsel, the daughter of a farm laborer.  He hunts and fishes with the locals, sometimes legally.  There’s food on the table.  Their only child, Joan, is born in the snowy winter of ’37.

 In the 40′s Bob and Mildred buy some land on Alpine Avenue, which is rich in gravel.  Bob is a pragmatic American.  If you have a big hole, fill it.  He turns the gravel pit into a dump.

 There’s gold in them thar hills!

 Life in Sparta is good.  The American Dream is in full swing.  Buy new and throw away the old.  Bob is there to take it.  His dump becomes a mountain of gold.

 Everyone knows “Schwabby” as Bob is known.  When you need something, go see Bob.  If he ahs it, he usually gives it away free, together with a smile and a bit of hometown philosophy at no extra charge.  Bob loves to make people happy.

 Shooting for the Moon

In July 1969, standing in his dump, Bob can see the moon.  The Eagle has landed.  Thirty years later, America is more occupied with terrestrial challenges.  Like economic and environmental sustainability.  How to manage affluence and waste?

 Bob Schwab loved the simple things.  A good story, a friendly word, a smiling child.  He has his own ideas about wealth, about using and reusing material goods.  He was a garbage man.  A rich man.  A garbage man with a gold watch.

 In 1972, the Schwab Dump became part of the Kent County Landfill.  The county site later became a superfund.  Bob died in October 1990.  He is buried in Algoma Cemetery, far away from Allentown, Pennsylvania.  His wife, Mildred, lives in the family house on Alpine Avenue.  She is 93.

 Bob lives on as “Frankie” the emblem of ‘Round Again, Inc. in Sparta, a consignment/ resale shop founded by his daughter Joan in 1985 and still in business today.

 This Milestones on Main street article was produced specially for Sparta TODAY.  Input and contributions are welcome.  Please send your ideas to Dean Lettinga at hlet@hetnet.hl or contact Joan Lettinga at ‘Round Again in Sparta.  887-2414

The excitement of the future after High School is high for Robert Anderson & Donald Reed, two Sparta High School Students. As they have lived in Sparta most of their lives, and been friends for a long time, both boys reflect on their years in Sparta growing up as graduation nears.

Coach VanHuizen may be the shop teacher in school, but on the Football Field, VanHuizen coaches the Sparta Football team. Sparta has taken the Kenowa League championship for the last 11 years. VanHuizen may be a winning coach, but as Don and Robert are well aware, he can be strict with the team. They hear that Coach VanHuizen will be retiring soon from coaching football at SHS, and wonder how long it will be until the next Championship Victory for the future Football teams.

The High School Building

The Old Red Brick High School, as Robert and Donald refer to their school sits on the corner of Union and Alma. The building holds a lot of memories for them including the popular superintendent Balyeat and “Fred”, the teacher from Agriculture Class.

A big part of growing up in Sparta for these 1947 graduates was stopping by Jacksons Blacksmith Shop. Any kid who walked around with the metal horse shoe nail that had been pounded into a circle to wear as a ring had recently been to Jacksons Blacksmith Shop. Phoebe’s Candy Store also holds many memories for the graduating class as a popular place to hang out.

Sparta Hunting & Fishing Club reforms around 1948

As the North Kent Rod & Gun Club dissolved shortly after WWII, Don & Robert hear about the club restarting again in 1949. The club meets in the Police Station and will continue to do so until the new Bank Building is constructed. The club owns the property on W. Division (where current day Toro Distributors is located). The club is talking about selling this property and will begin looking for new property. It’s heard that Mrs. Bebe may be interested in selling her property in Sparta Township to the club. Current members of the club include upstanding citizens in the Sparta area such as Dave Johnson, the current Village President, Clare Finch, Chuck Saur, and Donald & Robert.

The Korean War in 1951

After returning from the war, Donald is planning to work for Spartan Extrusion Tool & Die. The pay is $1.05 per hour which will bring in an honest living even if it may be hard to feed a family each month. Robert is looking forward to moving to Grand Rapids after the war and working for the Kent County Treasurer.

As 1953 comes, the club of 19 people will be going to the bank to sign personal notes to purchase the property. Each one of the 19 members know the personal stake of purchasing the Hunting & Fishing Club property but believe that membership will grow and prosper throughout the years.

Building a Club House in 1954

This year, the club which consists of 20 members will be building a pole barn to store equipment and eventually a new club house. The club is starting with 1 trap field and continues to clear property for the club. Laurence Bodell is building a running deer target that runs back and forth through bicycles that are upside down and tied with ropes. When it’s finished, the target will look like the deer is galloping. People from miles around are coming to check out his deer target contraption.

The Future for the club

The club will eventually grow to the strong size of 329 members that will enjoy the 79.5 acre land. The club will look forward to BBQ chicken & Ribs dinners, picnics, and reunions on the property, as well as involving the Kent City and Sparta School kids in educational programs. The Club will become well known as a family club with extensive archery courses with 3-D targets, woods walk, clay tours and trap fields. The heart of a few men who took out personal bank notes to invest in a project they believed in has grown to benefit hundreds of nature loving residents throughout the area.

The full interview of Robert Anderson and Donald Reed will be available on DVD through the Sparta Township Historical Commission in Sparta Township Offices.

Some of the major changes are due in part to the Village of Sparta Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Property Enhancement Grant program for exterior enhancements to commercial buildings within the DDA District. The program has generated over $250,000 of investment from business owners into the exterior of their buildings over the past two years. The investment from property owners in their buildings is important for the vitality of Sparta business and the enhancements are having a major effect on the image of Sparta.

Round Again, the downtown business at 213 E. Division, has become a historical focal point for downtown Sparta after the completion of the DDA grant program in 2007. By taking the architectural history into account, the property owners, Howard and Joan Lettinga, decided to restore the exterior to its original size as built in 1907. By removing a 1940’s addition, the Lettinga’s found the original building sign in the façade of the building as the doorway header reading “N.A. Shaw Palace Livery 1907”. As a building that has served many different businesses over the years, including a Drayage Business (the hauling of a load by a low built cart by horses), a Livery Barn, Fields Transfer Line, a farm implement business, a John Deere equipment repair operation, a beauty shop, real estate office, accounting business, and photo shop, the building was finally purchased in 1984 as a consignment/ resale business by the Lettinga’s. As 2007 marked the hundredth year for the historic building in downtown Sparta, the Lettinga’s celebrated by restoring the building to its historic exterior and continuing the legacy of the historical building in downtown Sparta.

Another example of the DDA grant program is the major exterior improvements on the building at 530 S. State Street that currently houses Spectrum Health, Mel Trotter, LA Insurance, and the Secretary of State. Through the DDA Grant Program, the 530 S. State Street building underwent major façade improvements that included adding new façade materials, raised the height of the front façade to hide equipment, and correlated the businesses on the property. The improvements are remarkable and the project has made major improvements to the South State Street corridor.

Maxine’s Family Restaurant, at 370 N. State Street, is another example of success for the DDA Grant Program. Through major façade improvements, parking lot enhancements, streetscape improvements, and landscaping work, the business has made a major impact on the North State Street corridor and improve the exterior of the visual appeal of the restaurant. Maxine’s Family Restaurant has changed their image and look through the DDA Grant Program. The before and after photos show the extreme results of the project undertaken in 2008.

Interested in the 2009 DDA Property Enhancement Grant program? Businesses must meet grant guidelines and meet with the Property Enhancement Grant committee before applications are accepted. Grant guidelines are online under Assisting Businesses at www.spartami.org.