11 23
ALL IN THE
ANNOUNCER An Allendale and Surrounding Area Publication
Photo: Elisabeth Marie Photography
Ribbon Cutting - Congratulations!
Pigeon Creek Event Center December Ad Rates
20% off this month!
THANK YOU Veterans!
SWYFT Solutions Read all about them!
Energize our Weekend Event
at GVSU
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
2023 Sustaining Partner Circle
Friday, November 10 at 8:30am Please come to the township hall auditorium on November 10, 2023 from 8:30am - 10:00am for a Veterans Day Reception. This is an event to honor those who served our country. Hear from guest speakers and meet with fellow veterans. A complimentary breakfast will be served. If you have any questions, please contact (616) 892-3118 or elizabeths@allendale-twp.org.
Allendale Area
November Calendar of Events *Please check with location or event before attending as information may have changed since publication
local events
2-4 4 4 4 4 6, 13, 20 7 + 21 9 9 10 10 11 14 16 16 16 17 17 - 18 18 21 24 - 25
Christmas Open House at the Red Door (6837 LMD), 10% off whole store Boulder Ridge Fall Craft Show (4370 Pingree St) from 9am - 3pm Pop-in Playtime at the Library at 9am (ages 6 and under with caregiver) Allendale Mattress Sale at Allendale Highschool (6590 Winans St) at 10am Fall Crafternoon at the Library at 2pm Storytime (ages 0-6 with caregiver) at the Library at 10am Knitting for Allendale (all ages) at the Library at 2pm Ladies Night at True Value (5425 LMD) at 5:30pm Art Journaling at the Library at 6pm, Registration required Veterans Day Reception at Allendale Charter Township (11038 68th) at 8:30am Creative Dance (ages 0-6 with caregiver) at the Library at 10am Laker Vets 2nd Annual Walk, Run, Fly 5k at GVSU (1 Campus Dr) at 10am Card Games - Hand and Foot at the Library at 2pm OAISD Play N Learn (ages 0-5 under with caregiver) at the Library at 10am Adult Book Discussion at the Library at 6:30pm, Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi Friends of the Library Meeting at the Library at 7:30pm Deer Widows Night Out at Forever Sun West + Spa (6101 LMD) at 4pm Allendale Artisan + Craft Fair at Allendale High School (6590 Winans St) at 9am Cho’s Studio Project: Mozart Concerti at GVSU Recital Hall at 2pm Coffee + Crafts at the Library at 10am Christmas at Countryside Farmgirl Flea Market Event
local events
27 Faculty Recital: Sookkyung Cho Piano Recital at GVSU Recital Hall at 7:30pm 28 Card Games - Euchre at the Library at 2pm 28 Graphic Novel Book Club at the Library at 6:30pm 29 Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at Life Stream Church (6561 LMD) at 6pm 29 Porch Pot Party Fundraiser at Dekker Bros (7235 Pingree St) at 7pm 30 Guest Artist Recital: Melody Quah at GVSU Recital Hall at 7:30pm
Trivia at Peppino’s Pizzeria + Sports Grill at 6pm
Walking Fit with Ivy Rehab at Life Stream starting at 5:30pm Trivia at Trail Point at 7pm
WED
Karaoke at Main St Pub starting at 8:30pm Trivia at Main St Pub starting at 8:30pm
SAT FRI THURS
TUES
MON
WEEKLY EVENTS
Senior Fit Time at Love Inc at 11am, all abilities welcome
Karaoke at Peppino’s Pizzeria & Sports Grill at 9pm
Trivia at Farmhaus Cider starting at 7pm
Trivia at Embassy Bar and Grill starting at 8pm Karaoke at Embassy Bar and Grill at 9pm
Food Trucks Trail Point: Tuesday - Sunday Farmhaus Cider: Thursday - Saturday
Choose
+0:
Is your child struggling with Autism, TBI, ADHD or Birth Trauma resulting in learning difficulties?
There is a non-invasive, drug free therapy alternative that can help, located right in Allendale! If you want to see improved auditory processing; better balance, coordination and fine motor skills; greatly improved eye contact and situational awareness; more confidence and focus; visual processing improvements; more stable emotional responses; reduced anxiety, better sleep patterns, resolved bedwetting and potty training issues, improved speech and language skills. Call or go online for more information and a free, confidential assessment!
616-895-9550 refinedsensory.com 11301 Commerce Rd Ste A, Allendale | sensory@refinedsensory.com
616.895.7500
Tolman’s Auto-Tech Group SPECIALS
5455 Auto Court Allendale, MI
tolmansauto.com
At Tolman’s Auto Tech, we want to ensure you are aware, informed, and educated on your vehicle. Winter is coming, and there are a few things we can do that will help prepare our vehicles to get through winter. Checking all fluid levels is very important but this time of year coolant level and condition is going to keep our engines at the right temperature but also give you the heat that you will require inside the cabin. Flushing the coolant on good intervals will help keep the radiator and heater core from plugging up with debris, and the other cooling system components to last longer. All wheel drive and 4x4 is a great option to have, however those systems require fluid to keep them cool, and protected from wear. Checking or flushing these fluids will ensure proper function and longevity. Cabin air filter is the most forgotten maintenance on any vehicle. If equipped, its job is to filter the air that you breathe inside the cabin of the vehicle. With windows up and heat on, having a clean cabin filter makes a big difference to the air quality you breathe. See attached photo to see the difference. Stop in at Tolman’s to have your tires checked for winter. We have many great options to give you traction and keep you between the lines. We also can check your wiper blades, and all exterior lights for the best visibility this winter.
From Allendale Eye Care (Behind True Value)
Ask the Eye Doctor EYE INJURY PREVENTION FOR ALL! WHAT ARE THE COMMON CAUSES OF EYE INJURIES? Common causes of eye injuries include flying debris (e.g., dust, wood chips), chemical exposure, blunt force trauma, sports-related accidents, and accidents with sharp objects. HOW CAN YOU PREVENT EYE INJURIES AT HOME? - Use safety goggles or glasses when doing DIY projects, gardening, or using chemicals. - Keep hazardous substances out of reach of children. - Install childproof locks on cabinets containing dangerous materials. WHAT PRECAUTIONS SHOULD BE TAKEN AT WORK? - Employers should provide appropriate safety eyewear for employees working in hazardous environments. - Workers should always wear the provided eye protection and follow safety protocols. - Be aware of potential eye hazards in your workplace and report them to your supervisor. HOW CAN YOU PREVENT SPORTS-RELATED EYE INJURIES? - Wear appropriate protective eyewear designed for your sport. - Ensure that sports equipment, such as bats or balls, is in good condition. - Know the rules and follow them to prevent unnecessary contact or accidents. WHAT ARE THE STEPS FOR FIRST AID IF AN EYE INJURY OCCURS? - If an injury occurs, do not rub or put pressure on the eye. - Gently rinse the eye with clean, lukewarm water for at least 15 minutes for chemical exposures. - Cover the injured eye with a clean, sterile bandage or cloth and seek immediate medical attention. HOW CAN PARENTS PROTECT THEIR CHILDREN'S EYES? - Keep small objects and toys with sharp edges out of the reach of young children. - Ensure children wear safety goggles when participating in activities that pose a risk to their eyes, such as woodworking or science experiments.
Meet your Doctors!
Allendale Eye Care Located behind True Value
Ph 616.895.9550 www.allendaleeyecare.com
11301 Commerce Rd., Ste A Allendale, MI 49401 Dr. Patricia Roslund
Dr. Austin Loshinskie
616.895.9550 \\ allendaleeyecare.com
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
Empowering Allendale's Future: A Conversation with SWYFT Solutions By: Shelby Sullivan Writer for the AACC
SWYFT Solutions is a growing software reseller right here in Allendale, Michigan. Their vision revolves around helping individuals and businesses to access and utilize SOLIDWORKS engineering software from Dassault Systèmes. So SWYFT Solutions, which stands for "Start With Your Future Today," isn't just a name. It’s a commitment to empowering their clients to face tomorrow's challenges with confidence. I sat down with Stephen and Anna Wierenga to talk about their amazing business, how they got started, and what we can expect for the future of SWYFT Solutions. HUMBLE BEGINNINGS Anna grew up in Portage and Stephen was raised in Nunica before both attended Grand Valley State University where they met through a mutual friend. Anna was earning her degree in supply chain management while Stephen was working toward his degree in engineering. The first business Stephen started was “Half Blink Entertainment” while he was still in high school, booking concerts and venues for local bands around West Michigan. At GVSU, Stephen participated in the similarly-operating Spotlight Program, as well as a co-op with Oliver Tolas Healthcare Packaging. Both experiences only increased his knowledge of what it was like to run and operate a business, as well as give him an inside look at the manufacturing industry. Both of their degrees and experience would ultimately lead them toward where they are today, as parents and entrepreneurs in the Allendale area. So, after graduation, Anna and Stephen married and purchased a foreclosure home in Allendale to fix up, so they could start their family.
ENTREPRENEURIAL ACHIEVEMENTS Later, during his time at DeWys Manufacturing, Stephen recognized the absence of a local engineering partner, which would help take some of the workload off of production. “I thought how nice it would be to have a partner in this area that we could just bring in when we’re overcapacity, on a contract basis, and then step away when we slow down,” says Stephen. “That’s how Perception Engineering got started in 2013, which is the first business that Anna and I ran together.” Perception Engineering, built right here in Allendale, partnered with local manufacturers and assisted with contract mechanical design and engineering. Their goal was to assist with any projects, in order to give local manufacturers a chance to level out their workload. As Perception Engineering grew, Stephen hired close colleagues in their industry to help them to not only expand their team but also to enhance the company’s capabilities for handling the incoming workload. THE IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY AND BUSINESS By 2018, Anna was working both part-time with Perception Engineering and full-time at Oliver Tolas Healthcare Packaging. But then, the daycare their son was about to attend was shut down.
This unfortunate turn of events became a positive opportunity for Anna to spend more time with her son. Though not an engineer, Anna was able to take over more of the business side of things, and help grow Perception Engineering into the success that it became. Though the world of raising children and running a business can be daunting for many entrepreneurs out there, Anna and Stepehn’s commitment proves that being parents and business owners don’t have to be separate things. “Ultimately,” says Anna, “owning our own business has allowed us to have so much flexibility… it’s enabled me to adapt my schedule to accommodate our children’s evolving needs and routines.” Anna and Stephen have since hoped to develop a strong community and address what it’s like to be working parents in Allendale. They host dinners with other business owners and their children, and discuss what it takes to have a passion for work and for family all at once. “Doing something you're super passionate about, but still balancing that with raising your family… it’s something we’ve really felt,” says Anna. DOING SOLID WORK! As fate would have it, 2018 continued to be the year that was a massive turning point for the Wierengas.
FUTURE-PROOFING LOCAL MANUFACTURERS In April of 2023, Stephen and Anna sold Perception Engineering in order to focus on SWYFT Solutions full time. Their goal? “Future proofing” the businesses they work with. “The concept of future-proofing is the process of developing methods of minimizing the effects of shocks and stresses of future events,” says the SWYFT Solutions website. “We believe that this can be achieved through the implementation of adapting systems.” Every step of the way, from installing the software, to training manufacturers’ teams, to making sure things run smoothly over time, SWYFT Solutions is there to help support and boost businesses, from startups to tried-and-true manufacturing companies. “They call us value-added partners because we're not just selling software…” says Anna. “We provide training resources, tech support, and we provide services, consulting and integrations of the software so that those businesses can get the most value out of the software.”
Perception Engineering was chosen in 2018 to participate in a special program initiated by Dassault Systèmes and SOLIDWORKS, known as a lighthouse program. In this program, selected companies like Perception Engineering had the unique opportunity to test and validate the next generation of tools and software that these companies were developing.
Anna and Stephen currently have an excellent team of six that sells to, and supports, companies all over the United States. As such, they are looking to grow!
This experience led to an exciting opportunity for Perception Engineering to become a reseller of the SOLIDWORKS software. By doing so, Perception Engineering could help other manufacturers integrate and install these cutting-edge software solutions.
Not only is SWYFT Solutions always looking for like-minded entrepreneurs in Allendale to connect with, but they are also hoping to hire the best and brightest talent to help them continue to provide the best services possible to their clients.
“We pitched the idea [to the team],” says Stephen. “What if we created an entirely new business right from scratch that could leverage our existing network, but also be hyper-focused on helping other businesses integrate these tools that help them adapt toward future changes?”
For more information, you can reach out to Anna and Stephen on LinkedIn and on their SWYFT Solutions site.
And just like that by 2020, SWYFT Solutions was born during a time of manufacturing face shields and other medical necessities for the community. Their dedication toward their goal could not have come at a better time.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR SWYFT SOLUTIONS?
From City2Shore Gateway Group
ON THE MOVE // NOVEMBER 2023
It’s Time I Woke Up! I’ve sold more houses than I can remember and given more buyers advice about moving, upsizing, downsizing and all of the pro’s & con’s that go with moving your household. Well, that was all good advice but since I haven’t personally moved my household in 22 years, I didn’t really have first hand knowledge of the excitement and pitfalls that come with a full household move. Until now that is. Recently we sold our 3000 sqft. Ranch home for a 3200 sqft. Colonial style home. It’s so exciting and almost devastating at the same time. When you move, you will experience the same joys and angst that I just experienced. Here’s a piece of advice. If you are married, you must make certain you and your spouse are on the same sheet of music during the move as this WILL test your relationship. Things will go wrong… others will be blamed. Be strong and try to focus on the positives which will keep your mind and emotions right while you push through. Here’s a list of the 5 best and worst parts of moving your household.
Best Parts of Moving: Best Parts of Moving 1. Fresh Start: Moving offers an opportunity for a fresh start in a new location, which can be exciting and rejuvenating. 2. New Experiences: You get to explore a new neighborhood, city, or even a new country, which can lead to new experiences and adventures. 3. Decluttering: Moving forces, you to declutter and simplify your life. It's a chance to get rid of items you no longer need or use. 4. New Home: You might find a home that better suits your needs, whether that's more space, better amenities, or a better location. 5. Meeting New People: Moving can lead to meeting new friends, neighbors, and building new social connections in your new community.
Worst Parts of Moving: 1. Stress: Moving can be incredibly stressful, from the planning and packing to the actual move and unpacking. 2. Expense: Moving can be costly, with expenses including hiring movers, transportation, storage, and sometimes even unexpected costs. 3. Disruption: It disrupts your daily routines, making it difficult to work, study, or maintain your regular schedule. 4. Emotional Challenges: Leaving behind familiar places and people can be emotionally challenging and may lead to feelings of homesickness. 5. Logistical Challenges: There are many logistics to consider, from transferring utilities to changing your address with various institutions, and it can be overwhelming. HINT: Do yourself a favor and hire movers. Nothing will cause you to dislike the move more than moving yourself. Neither family nor friends really like to help, and it doesn’t matter how much pizza and beer you buy. Don’t put yourself) or them through moving a household.
If you would like to talk more about your options to sell or buy including timing and values, please feel free to message me for some direction. Gbrown@city2shore.com 1-616-895-8000 Geoff Brown is the Broker/Owner of City2Shore Gateway Group which has offices in Allendale MI. and Byron Center MI. and manages more than 40 realtors who are experts trained to serve in our communities
YOU'RE INVITED TO
ENERGIZING OUR WEEKEND! ! e e Fr
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 4, 2023 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Grand Valley State University Allendale Campus
Fun Event for the Community! K-12 Students, their families, and the community are invited to join us for this free, drop-in event and experience hands-on learning, science presentations, and STEM activities related to renewable energy and sustainability.
For a complete schedule of events: www.gvsu.edu/eow/sat
PH: (616) 331-2267 Email: gvsurmsc@gvsu.edu
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me
Exclusively
for our faithful customers
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$ .00 off your Christmas tree
Coupon required. Offer expires December 16, 2023. This coupon cannot be combined with any other coupon offers. Minimum $49 or more. Limit one coupon per customer.
downtown DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
7:00am Bi-monthly Meetings
March 21, May 16, June 20, July 18, September 19, October 17, November 21
Board Members Bob Chapin (Chair) Jeremy Borgman Kellen Brusveen Brent Clark Kristin Corner Adam Elenbaas Angela Hatto Rence Meredith Steve Spriensma Ross Stevens David Vander Wall Tom Zuniga
Please visit allendale-twp.org for the latest information regarding the Allendale DDA
2023 Board of Directors
Brandie Tenney Grand Valley State University
Dr. Patricia Roslund Allendale Eye Care & Refined Sensory Solutions
Kristin Siebers City2Shore Gateway Group
LaRon Henderson The Huntington National Bank
Abbey Vaughan Honor Credit Union
Philip Tolman Tolman's Auto Tech Group, Inc.
Terri Jeruink Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy www.allendalechamber.org
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