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 [...]

Sparta Town & Country Days July 14 – 18, 2010

Please visit the official Sparta Town & Country Days Website to find out all the events, sponsors, and information for the week long fair! Click here: Sparta Town & Country Days July 15 – 18, 2010 www.spartafair.com 2010 Theme [googleMap name="Sparta, Michigan" description="Downtown Sparta just 10 miles north of Grand Rapids. " width="350" height="250"]75 N [...]

SNOWBASH: FEB 13, 2010

Looking for a fun night out?  Bring your friends to SNOWBASH 2010, a  Party to celebrate winter, Valentine’s Day, the end of winter… whatever your reason, you should plan to join us at the Sparta Civic Center! Dinner, Drinks, & Dancing!  Tickets $20 per person (includes dinner)  Ages 21 + only, please. Saturday, February 13 [...]

Electrical Safety Tips from Sparta Fire Department

School is about to start!  Many children will be left alone to get themselves off in the morning.  Here are a few tips to help with electrical safety in the home. Kids: Never put anything into an electrical outlet. Never take apart or try to fix electrical things. Don’t have anything that has a power [...]

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 [...]

Scarecrow Competition

Grab some straw, some old clothes, and join the Scarecrow Competition in downtown Sparta during the Harvest on the Ridge event September 24 through September 28, 2009.  Click HERE to look at the guidelines and registration information to take part in the competition this year!  Scarecrows will be displayed in Downtown Sparta from Thursday, September [...]

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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