The Announcer February 2024

02 24

ALL IN THE

ANNOUNCER An Allendale and Surrounding Area Publication

175

ALLENDALE

years

1849

2024

Happy 175th Anniversary, Allendale!

The History of Allendale as told by Kathy Hanes

February Calendar of Events

BizStream receives Global Recognition

APS

Millage Information

ALLENDALE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The Announcer is delivered to you as a free monthly publication serving Allendale Township. It is brought to you by the Allendale Area Chamber of Commerce.

Scan Me! WEBSITE: www.allendalechamber.org OFFICE HOURS: By Appointment ADS SENT TO: Christie Tidd at allendaleannouncer@gmail.com

2024 Sustaining Partner Circle

Thank you to our 2024 Chamber Partners and Key Members!

Allendale Area

February Calendar of Events *Please check with location or event before attending as information may have changed since publication

local events 1 1 3 3 5, 12, 19, 26 5, 19 6 6, 20 8, 15, 22, 29 9 9 10 10 12 12, 26 13 13, 27 15 16 - 18 17 17 20 21 22 22 22 - 25 23 24 24 24 27

Connected Chamber Women Event in Grand Rapids Drawing Class: Reptile + Amphibians at the Library at 6:30pm Pop-In Playtime at the Library at 9am - 12pm Allendale Mom 2 Mom Sale at Allendale High School from 11am to 2pm Storytime at the Library at 10am Allendale Township Planning Commission Meeting at 7pm Allendale PTO Community Skate Night at Tarry Hall at 6:15pm Knitting for Allendale at the Library at 2pm High Blood Pressure Control Class at Allendale Township at 2pm (8 wks) Creative Dance at the Library at 10am Show + Snack (Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris) at the Library at 1pm Valentine’s Day Taste Test for Teens at the Library at 2pm Cookie Bouquet Class at Mug Shots at 4pm American Legion Post 401 Meeting at Life Stream Church at 6:30pm Allendale Township Board Meeting at 7pm Rise + Grind: Valentine’s Coffee + Networking at Honor Credit Union at 8am Card Games at the Library at 2pm Chunky Knit Blanket Class at Trail Point Brewing Co at 6pm New Voices: A Broadway Musical Revue at Louis Armstrong Thtr at GVSU at 7:30pm Roll Out the Barrels at Trail Point Brewing Co at 1pm Kyle Jennings: Live at Trail Point Brewing Co at 7pm Coffee + Crafts at the Library at 10am GVSU Symphony Orchestra Concert at LAT at GVSU at 7:30pm Adult Book Discussion (The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett) at the Library at 6:30pm Friends of the Library Meeting at the Library at 7:30pm Theatre at GV presents “The Birds” at 7:30pm, tickets online Show + Snack (On a Wing and a Prayer) at the Library at 1pm Curling Iron Tutorial at Thrive Salon at 10am (11219 Brown Ave) Learn to Braid Class at Thrive Salon at 12pm (11219 Brown Ave) Allendale Public School Day GVSU Basketball Game at 1pm Try It Tuesday at the Library at 6:30pm

WISHES THE ALLENDALE COMMUNITY

y p Betten p 1 7 a H iversar5y ! n n A Baker th

visit Betten Baker Auto Plaza at: 930 O Malley Dr. Coopersville, MI 49404

616-837-3800 www.bettenbakerautoplaza.com

FEBRUARY 27, 2024 | PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY

Life Stream Church

www.allendale-twp.org

6561 Lake Michigan Dr, Allendale, MI 49401

TOWNSHIP INFORMATION Township board mee�ng dates are February 12 and 26 at 6:00 pm. You can find board agendas and minutes on our website: www.allendaletwp.org.

Burn Permits Burn permits are issued to homeowners during the months of December, January, and February. There is no cost associated with applica�on. A permit must be issued before any burning can take place, and it is valid for up to four consecu�ve days and may be issued up to three days in advance. You may apply for the permit in person at the township office or online at h�p://allendalefirerescue.net/BurnPermits.php at any �me. If you have any ques�ons, please contact us at 616-895-6295. Call 9-1-1 in the event of a fire emergency.

Township

ALLENDALE TOWNSHIP LIBRARY

Winter Reading Program There is s�ll �me to complete our Winter Reading Program!

Finish by March 2 to earn a prize! For all ages.

From BizStream

BizStream Recognized as a 2023 Inclusive Workplace We are happy to share that BizStream has been acknowledged by Best Companies Group, in collaboration with COLOR Magazine, for our commitment to fostering inclusivity and a strong sense of belonging in our work environment through the Inclusive Workplace Program. This marks the second time BizStream has received this recognition.

This acknowledgment is a celebration of organizations that surpass data-driven benchmarks to promote inclusivity. The Inclusive Workplace Program, launched in 2022, evaluates participating companies through comprehensive surveys and data analysis, focusing on key areas such as inclusion, belonging, psychological safety, community, and purpose.

Jaime Raul Zepeda, Executive Vice President of Best Companies Group, remarked, "This program highlights the real strides companies are making in cultivating inclusive cultures that help all employees feel valued and engaged."

Michelle Lentz, BizStream's Director of Marketing, emphasizes the significance of upholding a culture rooted in inclusivity. "At BizStream, we prioritize work-life balance, recognizing its impact on our team members' mental health and well-being. Our support for working parents is evident through our extended and inclusive parental leave, a compassionate bereavement policy for miscarriages, and dedicated private spaces for nursing mothers.

[TaRita Johnson, (front row, third from right) Senior Vice President, Talent & Diversity, The Right Place, Inc. and the BizStream team]

ABOUT BIZSTREAM BizStream, an Allendale-based digital agency, is renowned for its strategic expertise in design, branding, and web development. Our 35+ member team comprises developers, designers, and digital strategists.

ABOUT BEST COMPANIES GROUP Best Companies Group is an independent research firm specializing in identifying and recognizing the best workplaces all around the world.

Our commitment extends beyond our team to embrace organizations making a difference within our industry and community. We actively champion causes close to our hearts by supporting groups like Hand2Hand, Holiday Helpers via Love, Inc., Out On The Lakeshore, and women and girls in tech through sponsorships and partnerships. It's about fostering inclusivity within our organization and contributing to a broader, more inclusive landscape."

The organizations making up this list will be celebrated in the Winter 2024 Top Inclusive Workplaces digital publication, scheduled for January 2024 and published by Best Companies Group and COLOR Magazine.

To review the full list of winners, go to: www.bestcompaniesgroup.com/programs/inclusiveworkplace-program/recognition-list/

TOWNSHIP ANNIVERSARY ALLENDALE

years 1849

2024

Allendale — Celebrating 175 years in 2024

By: Kathy Hanes / Allendale Historian

A 100th anniversary is called a centennial, but what do you call a 175th anniversary? It's a demisemiseptcentennial, of course! And in all honesty, I am grateful for Wikipedia, Google and other search engines that allowed me to look up the answer in record time. It’s a mouthful, but worth noting to memory, as Allendale gears up to celebrate this momentous occurrence throughout all of 2024.

The History of Allendale...how does one sum up 175 years of history for Allendale township in two pages?

Simply put; It seems impossible! But, I am going to attempt to give you a little glimpse into the events that have helped to develop our township into what it is today.

Several sources were used to obtain these historical facts, including Plat maps, Standard Atlas of that time, county records, a 1973 Allendale History book, written by Fanny Sheridan, the 1998 Allendale Township Historical book and some help from my fellow historians Terry VanDyken and Lorraine Busman. I’m a firm believer in presenting the facts, even though we may not agree with the way things were done in the past. This is how Allendale came to be and why we can celebrate 175 years of being a township. So, sit back and enjoy this little highlight reel of the history of Allendale...

The Formative Years of Allendale Township: 1800 to 1880 Early 1800’s Long before there were paved roads, schools, stores and homes, this area was rich in natural resources that provided a living for the indigenous population of West Michigan. Michigan became a state in 1837 and later that same year, the newly elected state legislature established and designated the county of Ottawa. Animal pelts were all the fashion in Europe and out east during this time and the local forests provided hunting opportunities that

allowed for fur trading. Waterways to transport these furs gave way to logs, gravel and people as the years passed.

Wooded property made this area desirable to settlers ooking for a place to call home—isn’t funny how some things never change?

1842 The first permanent settler within the township, Richard Roberts, arrived in the area and settled along the Grand River in the area formerly known as Charleston Landing. Being near the water allowed the little village to grow and eventually included a store, several homes, a blacksmith shop, sawmill and a spoke factory.

There were other prominent areas along the Grand River, and other desirable locations in the region, that were eventually absorbed into what is now Allendale Township: • Charleston landing—located at the end of 60th Avenue and the Grand River.

• Blendon Landing—located along the river of what is now GVSU.

1842 continued • Conger—located on 64th Avenue, between Pierce St. and Fillmore, across from what is now Christian Fellowship Assembly. Home of the first official grocery store in Allendale Township.

• Bass River—located where the gravel pits are out by 96th and the Grand River. During the early years, Bass River was much larger than Allendale and could have continued growing, were it not for the a rich gravel deposit discovered under the town. As the demand for gravel grew, residents moved from the area. Homes, stores and other buildings were either relocated, or ended up at the bottom of the gravel pits. Gravel from the pits was moved down river and used in the construction of Chicago buildings and highways. I bet you didn’t know that.

Methodist church, Conger General Store and a Congregational Church established a position within the township. There were no stand alone business establishments yet. Many of the early settlers built their private homes with a place for ‘business’ to be conducted within. The first census for Allendale Township was taken in 1850 and shows a population of 168. Compare this to an 1840 entire Ottawa County census of 208. Townships with a population under 100 were not registered during this time.

• Pearline—located near 56th Avenue and Lake Michigan Drive.

• Rusk—located in the southwest quadrant of the township, grew up around a sawmill and a general store.

1840 into 1850 This era saw many settlers moving in to the region. Along with Richard Roberts, came others with the surnames of Jones, Pierson, Scott, Balcolm, Hanna, Milne and Reed.

These were some of the earliest settlers, in what would become Allendale Township.

1848 Henry Pennoyer, who was a Michigan State Senator, along with other leaders in the area wrote a petition to Lansing to claim the area as Malta Township. Wait, what? Oh, I mean...Allandale, no...AllEndale.Many of the early settlers were of Scottish descent and wanted to name the beautiful area after the “Rose of Allandale”. Another explanation for the spelling is that Allendale is named after Capt.

Hannibal Allen, son of Ethan Allen of Revolutionary War fame. The captain’s widow moved to Eastmanville and bought 100 acres near what later became the County Farm. Since the Allen family had military and political clout, it has been surmised that the township was named after them, thus the change in the spelling.

Winter of 1849 Soon after the first of the year, Allendale is officially designated a township! There has been some back and forth regarding the actual date on record, but thanks to some sleuthing from our local deputy clerk, it was determined that the actual date on record, but thanks to some sleuthing from our local deputy clerk, it was determined that the actual date on record with the state was in fact 1849. The glitch came from submitting the petition in 1848, but not being officially designated until 1849. During this time, a U.S. Post Office, Wesleyan

Spring of 1849 Soon after being designated a township, town meetings were held in the home of Richard Roberts. They held an election for township supervisor, clerk, treasurer, Justice of the Peace and Highway Commissioner. Soon after this, it was deemed necessary to establish the first school district.

In the spring of 1849, the first public building was built within the township. The Little Red School was built on the east side of old Stagecoach Road, and you can still see the ridge of Stagecoach Road from 68th Avenue as you look to the east (64th Avenue) by what is now the Hovingh farm. Since the Little Red School was the only public building at the time, it was also used as the Town Hall for town meetings, church services for the Wesleyan Methodist congregation and for almost every type of public gathering. As the township grew, the need for more schools increased to serve the families of the area.

Eventually, there were 10 one-room schools built throughout the township, with each school being built on land that was donated by local families. When the school was no longer in use, the land reverted back to the property owner. Some of those one-room schools are still standing and in use today as private homes. The most visible one-room schoolhouse still standing is Brotherton school, located on the NW corner of 68th and Pierce.

The Christian School was established in 1915, and Grand Valley State College was established in 1961. But we’ll highlight their stories in a later article.

1880 to 1885 As time passed, more families moved to the area, establishing roots and calling Allendale home. While you might recognize some of the early settlers surnames, there was a surge of newcomers during this time that still have many descendants in the area. Tell me you don’t know somebody with this last name: Alderink, Berens, Bouwer, Broene, Harmsen, Hinken, Jeurink, Klomparens, Knoper, Kraker, Lemmen, Mohr, Potgeter, Sall, Veldink, Veldhuis, Walcott or Wolbrink. The years have passed and there are so many more who have moved to the area and now call Allendale home, but space is just too limited to tell you all about them in one article.

So I hope you enjoyed this little glimpse into the past and that we can appreciate the founders of our community.

We thank those who had the vision and foresight over 175 years ago to establish this area that we can call home. Here, Now, In Allendale.

Respectfully submitted, Kathy Hanes

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID GRAND RAPIDS, MI PERMIT 1

ALLENDALE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Make a Lasting Connection SWITCH TO A PROVIDER WHO YOU’LL LOVE Enhance your Wi-Fi with AcenTek

MyHOME

AcenTek MyHOME is a free app for all AcenTek Internet customers. Upgrade to get more features with ExperienceIQ or ExperienceIQ. AcenTek Wi-Fi puts you in charge!

Call or visit our website to learn more.

Get unmatched care, the fastest speeds to meet your internet needs, plus Wi-Fi that puts you in control.

NEW CUSTOMER OFFER:

MAXIMUM VELOCITY

1 GIG

FIBER INTERNET

1 Gig download | 1 Gig upload

OPTIMUM VELOCITY FIBER INTERNET

750 Mbps download | 750 Mbps upload

ExperienceIQ and ProtectIQ included $9995

79

$

95

per month for first year

plus free installation New Customer Velocity Internet Offer: Promotional pricing

750 Mbps

available to new customers only, who have not had Internet services with AcenTek for at least 30 days and whose account is in good standing. Choose from 500Mbps Fiber Internet for just $29.95/month, 750Mbps Fiber Internet for just $44.95/month or 1 Gig Fiber Internet for just $79.95/month.

Promotional pricing valid for first 12 months of service only.

After promotional period ends, regular pricing applies.

ExperienceIQ and ProtectIQ included $6495

44

$

95

per month for first year

plus free installation

Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm (closed daily 1:00-1:30pm)

888.404.4940 www.AcenTek.net

EXTREME VELOCITY

500 Mbps

FIBER INTERNET

500 Mbps download | 500 Mbps upload $4995

$2995

per month for first year

plus free installation