Tee Off at 10:30 am, lunch at the turn, and prizes!  Only $50 per person or a 4 player team wtih sponsorship is only $275!  A great afternoon of raising money for the Sparta Chamber events and networking on the golf course!

Games will be played throughout the gym and hallways, including a cake walk, dunk tank, interactive games and more carnival style entertainment. The silent auction offers a variety of items for bid as well there will be a raffle for a Kindle Fire tablet. Food will be available for purchase and there will also be live music.

Beth Hardwick of the Family Fun Festival Committee said “We are looking forward to another great event this year. This is our 3rd year and we keep adding more value each time. We really have something for the entire family. It will be a day you will not want to miss!”

Proceeds go towards funding the Sparta PTC (the parent teacher committee) programs like field trips, assemblies, new library books and other needed supplies for our elementary students attending Sparta Area Schools.

You don’t want to miss this Family Fun-Tastic Community Event, Saturday, April 28 from 11am-3pm at 240 Spartan Dr, Sparta, MI. For more information contact (616) 887-7500 x 3506 or ptc@spartaschools.org

The Club Fitness & Tanning

$150.00 6 month Fitness

$99 3 month Fitness & Tanning

19.99 1 month Tanning w/ Purchase of a bottle of lotion!

Slimmin’ for Women

A New Year, New You!  Join in the pledge to lose 1,000 pounds in the group for 2012.  Stop in to find out how you can participate in the 1,000 pound challenge!

6 months pre-pay fitness for $175 and 200 minute tanning for $35 (plus tax)

Zumba Classes!  Check it out!

Call 887-0036 for more information!

YMCA

 YMCA PROGRAMS at SPARTA MOOSE LODGE APRIL 22-June 9 

Sports Sampler (ages 3-5)  Tuesdays 5:30-6:15pm

 Cardio Sculpt (adult ages 13+)  Tuesdays 6:15-7pm 

 Zumba (adult ages 13+)   Thursdays 6-6:45pm

YMCA at KENT CITY MIDDLE SCHOOL   APRIL 22-June 9 

Tumbling (Preschool-Youth) $36/ 7 weeks 

Mondays 3-3:45pm, Preschoolers

Mondays 3:45-4:30pm, Kindergartners

Mondays 4:30-5:15pm, Ages 7+

 YMCA at HOWARD CHRISTENSEN NATURE CENTER   JUNE – AUGUST

Full Day Camp &  Half Day Summer Mini Fun Clubs

Snap Fitness

FREE 7 Day Pass! 

Get the workouts — and results — that you want at Snap Fitness.  New members only, not valid for current or former Snap Fitness members.

Sparta Snap Fitness

A few months ago someone left an envelope on the doorstep of the Meyer School House Museum. Among the items included in the envelope was a certificate from the State of Michigan incorporating “Sparta Builders” on the 7^th day of September, 1945. Also included are stock certificates issued to the original eight members of the corporation. This interested me because while doing research for the book “Sparta Township” I found a photo copy of an article written about this group of men and their desire to build houses, not only for one another, but to address the need for affordable housing in post WWII Sparta.

The article is dated Friday, June 6, 1947. By now, according to the article, “Plugging away Saturdays and every night except Sundays, five Sparta men are helping each other build new homes at low cost in a co-operative project that is unusual in western Michigan in these times.” Although, not experienced builders, these men had two things in common, a housing problem and the will to work. These were all men who lived, worked, and raised their families in Sparta. They had a stake in Sparta’s growth.  They all worked at the Muskegon Piston Ring or the foundry as it was called by most. They were, O.C. Hanson, Carl Rowe, Ed Armock, D.J. Moore, Forrest Burgess, Chester Amburgey, P.W. Gibbs and Lewis Chapman. Each contributed $300. This money was used to purchase building materials. One of the difficulties during the war had been obtaining cement, but by the time the men began building homes, cement was plentiful again. Additional capital was furnished by a local bank when needed. The estimated cost for each home was $4800 to $5000 not including the lot. As the homes were finished each owner obtained a mortgage and paid the corporation. Three of the original eight men dropped out, two for health reasons and one moved out of the area. The remaining five bought their shares in the corporation.

When the men finished their own homes, they went on to build several additional homes around the village. One, at 36 E. Gardner, is typical of some of the concrete homes built in 1947. The home still stands on E. Gardner, two houses behind what was once the site of Badgerow’s Store now the Admiral Station. Built at a cost of $5000, the house features a flat roof and glass block windows. Originally it had a fire place, dining room, kitchen and a “lavatory” on the first floor. The second floor had three bedrooms and a bath. A recreation room, fireplace, laundry and a refrigeration room were in the basement. I’ve wondered about the refrigeration room….sounds interesting.

Toward the end of my research, I asked my parents if they remember these men and the homes they built. I was surprised to learn that not only do they remember, they eventually bought one of the homes. The house where I grew up, 148 Pine St. is one of three homes on that street built by five men with a vision for the future. For their work and dedication to their hometown, I am grateful.

The next time you are out and about, take the time to see these homes. Although, I was unable to find out where other homes are located or how many were built, maybe one of you reading this article know where some of the others are. If so, contact me at wwwspartahistory.org. I would love to hear from you.

In Loving Memory of Barbara Jean Erhart, 1927-2011.

Jayne Heath Paasch  

Sparta Township Historical Commission

Youth Soccer in Sparta changed its name this past fall from Sparta Youth Soccer Association to

FC Ridge, LLC is a 501(c) 3 non-profit org. aimed at providing a well balanced and educational soccer experience to all ages living in our vicinity.  It is FC Ridge’s mission is to be the soccer club of choice for those who live in West Michigan’s Fruit Ridge area and surrounding communities.   Their vision is to provide safe, competitive and educational soccer experiences for recreational and select soccer players of all ages while supporting the soccer needs of the communities that they serve. FC Ridge says, “We value the growth of our players and focus on skill, teamwork, leadership and sportsmanship development. It is our intent to prepare young players to play at the high school, college or professional level and to provide recreational players of all ages a fulfilling experience.”

The meaning of the name F. (football) C. (club) – refers back the sports global origin, known as football world wide, for its obvious use of feet as a tool, the FC in the name is to help relate the local community to the world culture of Football (soccer) and its life lessons and values passed through friendly competition.  “Ridge” is a reference to the geographic region in which the club resides, known for its rich production of a variety of Fruit. An industry that has supported our communities for generations and created a legacy of which this region is very proud.

Registration is currently underway at https://fcridge.clubspaces.com/default_css.aspx. 

Just go to the bottom right hand corner of the screen where it has a yellow silhouette of a person that says LOGIN click your mouse on it and then just follow the prompts. We would love to see you this spring 2012 season! —

Tammy Gibson

FC Ridge

(formally known as Sparta Youth Soccer Assoc) Vice President 

Voice Mail: 616-606-0851

Email: admin@fcridge.com

Website: http://www.fcridge.com/Home.html

Please come “Like” the FC Ridge Facebook page to get current up to date information at…

http://www.facebook.com/pages/FC-Ridge/262699363784162

Have seen this cook book flying around Sparta? What you might not know is that recipes inside are the favorite choices of the community. It’s your turn to become famous and enter “Grandma’s famous batch of cookies” or “Mom’s famous meat loaf” into the second print edition inserts!

This recipe book is a fundraiser for Harvest on The Ridge held September 15, 2012 in Sparta!

What to do:

Send in the most tasty desserts, appetizer, soup, salad, or  veggie dish from The Ridge or your family to be included in the 2nd edition of the Harvest on the Ridge Recipe Book Inserts. The first edition of the Recipe Book sold out in record time, and due to popular demand, the second print edition will include the option to purchase INSERTS with new recipes that will be coming out summer 2012! To submit your recipes, simply write down all the ingredients and the detailed baking instructions and send it to:

Harvest Those Recipes

PO Box 142 •Sparta, MI  49345

chamber@spartami.org

www.spartachamber.com

(616) 887-2454

Recipes are due by May 1, 2012!

Recipe Submission Form (PDF)

A New Camera Club in Sparta 

www.CameraClubOfSpartaMI.com

Sparta Camera Club

Please Contact:

Chris Carlisle: 616-481-9048

hockeynite44@yahoo.com

or

Brenda Christensen: 616-901-8178

brendasilverleaf@yahoo.com

Interested to show off your artistic skills and help a good cause?  Simply pick up a plywood flower to paint, decorate, and channel your creativity in this Downtown Art Display!  This is a perfect spring project for you, family, friends, or organization to showcase your local artistic talents during the month of May in addition to helping out a great cause.  Simply go to www.Spartachamber.com to print of the registration form, find the details to the program, and return the entry form by March 12, 2012.  All proceeds will go towards 6th grade teacher Mrs. Spencer’s school supply and teaching work in the Dominican Republic. 

The final art pieces are due back by April 27 from 6-8 p.m. and April 28th from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at Sparta High School.  These art pieces will be put on display in and around downtown Sparta!  Art pieces will be returned to the artist after May 31.    

Application Form (PDF)

For more information please contact Mrs. Ann Hahn at 616-887-8213 ex. 1302 or at Ann.Hahn@staff.spartaschools.org. 

 Business Round Table Invite March 26, 2012

(Text Version Below)

When:          Monday, March 26, 2012

Time:           11:30 am

Where:         Sparta Civic Center

(75 N Union, Downtown Sparta)

Who:            Business Representatives

Why:  Business to Business Networking & discussions to create a vibrant community.

Featured Speakers:

Jon Sorber, Executive V.P.,  Two Men & A Truck

RSVP: By March 18, 2012 with limited seats available.  RSVP (616) 887-2454 or by email ddadirector@spartami.org

Cost: $10 Registration includes lunch

Checks can be made to Sparta Rotary Club