“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.

Michael Shuman, author of “Going Local,” doesn’t believe a resident has to cut big box stores altogether, rather, he advises to keep local businesses in mind.

“Going local does not mean walling off the outside world,” said Shuman. “It means nurturing locally owned businesses, which use local resources sustainably, employ local workers at decent wages and serve primarily local consumers. It means becoming more self-sufficient and less dependent on imports. Control moves from the boardrooms of distant corporations and back into the community where it belongs.”

On average, if you spend $100 at a local business, $73 stays in the local economy. If you spend $100 at a nonlocally owned business, only $43 dollars stay in the local economy.

The story of the circulation of a dollar

One dollar spent at a local business can go a long way. One example is Sparta Elevator, locally owned and managed by Ron Schantz. Not only does one receive a personalized education about certain brands of dog food and the unhealthy fatty fillers of other brands of dog food, Schantz makes sure to create a relationship with his customers.

“We want our customers to be able to bring their kids in here, and educate them on what types of bird seed bring certain types of birds or to experience the chicks in the spring time,” said Schantz. “Making a connection with a family, teaching them about planting seeds or feeding birds creates memories that those kids will pass on to their kids, hopefully.”

Although customer service and education do not have a price tag, a dollar spent at Sparta Elevator continues in the community when Schantz shops at local businesses such as Rogers Hardware, or when he eats lunch at a local restaurant, such as Angela’s Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria.

Angela’s Pizza is a family owned restaurant that features homemade Italian food with recipes from Italy. With a dollar spent from lunch from Sparta Elevator, Angela’s Pizza spends part of that dollar on purchasing bread products for baked subs from another local business, Tom’s Hometown Bakery.

Angela’s is saving time and money on shipping and delivery charges from Grand Rapids by using the products and services of another locally owned business. Plus, the product that is freshly baked just a few doors down is much fresher than any frozen bread on the market.

Angela Candela, namesake of Angela’s Pizza, said the main reason they support other local businesses is to “help Sparta grow.”

Tom’s Hometown Bakery also understands the importance of successful local businesses in a community.  “You can call here and talk to a person about ordering a large order of doughnuts or specialty cake order to make sure it is exactly as you want it,” said bakery owner Tom Penland. “We cater to our customers, even last minute orders. If we can fill it, we will do so gladly!”

Tom’s Bakery has three local restaurants in Sparta that buy bread or rolls from their bakery: Maxine’s, Garden Patch and Angela’s Pizza. Penland’s family is often found eating at those restaurants because they understand the value of spending their dollars at local businesses. “If I can find it in Sparta,” he says, “it is worth my time and gas money to buy it in Sparta, even if I am paying a little more for it.”

Every time you spend $1 at a local retail business, imagine how that dollar  make its way into a local restaurant, that buys product from a local bakery, that purchases services at a local salon, insurance office, or even to support a youth sports team.

That same dollar spent at a big box store in Grand Rapids would most likely never see its way to any Sparta business, Sparta youth program, or employ a Sparta resident. Next time you spend $1, spend wisely.

The Sparta Chamber offers local businesses the opportunity to promote their business in the NEW Sparta TODAY Newspaper.  Find out how to advertise in the Sparta TODAY

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