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.
WEBSITE: www.allendalechamber.org
OFFICE HOURS: By Appointment
ADS SENT TO: Christie Tidd at allendaleannouncer@gmail.com
By Kathy Hanes | Writer and Allendale Historian
Is it a story of hopes and dreams? Or one of friendships or hardships? Every story is worth telling, even if you do not think you have an audience. When you share your story, it can help connect you to others and bring about understanding.
As a child, I would love hearing Paul Harvey on the radio and his infamous, “rest of the story.” There was always a twist or plot that held an element of surprise and kept you captive to the very end of the story. I enjoyed it so much that it developed into a personal pursuit of learning about the backstory. Whether it was with friends, family, acquaintances, or strangers. I would always try to dig just a little deeper to get the rest of the story. So, I ask again…What is your story?
When I relate that question to the Allendale Community, I wonder about the stories of the businesses located here. What is their story? Why did GVSU decide to build here? How did Trail Point discover their name? What prompted Murphy’s to open? Where is Kasie Rae’s Boutique and why did it open? Why is there no tall signage along Lake Michigan Drive? What is the oldest business in town? Why are there two Dollar Generals in town? Some of the answers to these questions are easy to answer and some are a little more di cult. But they all have a story that is worthy of sharing.
I asked those questions recently to the owners/proprietors and heard some wonderful stories; some that brought a tear to the teller’s eye and some that brought tears to my eyes. I heard stories of laughter and friendships made along the journey. I heard stories of heartbreak and defeat. The stories are as varied as the individuals that shared them. The desire to ll a need in their community, or ful llment of a lifelong dream, honoring a departed loved one or an e ort to provide options. These are just a few of the businesses and the stories behind them. I wonder how many others have a great story to tell. Are you the part of the audience that will listen and share with others to get their story told? Are you willing to ask what the “rest of the story” is?
We would love to hear from you – whether it’s a story about a community member or business owner, neighbor or family member. We would love to learn more about you and what makes Allendale such a unique community.
At BizStream, making a positive impact is woven into our culture. Guided by our core values —Whatever It Takes, Work Hard, Play Hard, We Are a Team, Be Fearless, Foster Growth in Others, Care, and Be Positive—we strive to go beyond just building websites and brands. Our annual community clean-up is one way we demonstrate our commitment to making a difference wherever we can.
Our annual clean-up is part of BizStream's ongoing commitment to giving back each quarter. In Q1, we partnered with Hand2Hand, an organization focused on ghting weekend hunger among children in West Michigan, assembling 1,000 snack packs. In Q2, we safely recycled 2,849 pounds of unwanted electronics, bringing our total contribution to 23.45 tons over the years. As we look forward to Q4, we're excited to continue our tradition of working with Holiday Helpers to provide gifts for families in need.
\Giving back is an essential part of who we are at BizStream, and we're proud to support our community in meaningful ways throughout the year and have fun while doing it.
In just 30 minutes, our team collected over 30 bags of trash, along with surprising nds like a chair and even a couch. Despite the heat, we enjoyed tackling the clean-up together. Not only did this event bene t the environment, but it also allowed us to step away from our desks, get some fresh air, and collaborate with colleagues we don't always work with directly. This event marks our second annual clean-up—collecting 20 bags of garbage in 2023.
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.
www.allendale.k12.mi.us November 2024
We are happy to announce that each of our school buildings has its own Facebook page! This is a great way for you to stay informed of the latest happenings specific to each building within our district. Whether you have a child in the Early Childhood Center, Evergreen Elementary, Oakwood Intermediate, the Middle School, or the High School, you can now easily keep track of news and announcements for the school(s) you want to follow. Here's how to connect:
AECC - https://www.facebook.com/allendaleaecc
Evergreen - https://www facebook com/apsevergreenelementary Oakwood - https://www.facebook.com/OakwoodIntermediateAllendale Middle School - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100078472537648
High School - https://www.facebook.com/allendalehigh District - https://www.facebook.com/@allendalepublicschools
Township board mee ng dates are November 11th and 25th at 6:00 pm. You can nd board agendas and minutes on our website: www.allendalemi.gov
The township hall will be closed in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday, November 28th & Friday, November 29th. We will resume regular business hours on December 2nd. We wish you a happy and safe holiday.
Veterans Day
Join us on Monday, November 11, 2024 from 7:00am 9:00am for a Veterans Day Reception. Hear from guest speakers and meet with fellow veterans. A complimentary breakfast will be served. If you have any questions, please contact Tasha Shepard, Township Community Coordinator, at (616) 895 6295 or nshepard@allendalemi.gov.
Address: 6676 Lake Michigan Drive, Allendale 49401
Adult Book Discussion: Monday, November 25 at 6:30 PM
The NEA Big Read—a partnership between the Na onal Endowment for the Arts and Arts Midwest—broadens our understanding of ourselves and our neighbors through the power of a shared reading experience. The goals of the NE A Big Read are to inspire mean ingful conversa ons, celebrate local crea vity, elevate a wide variety of voices and perspec ves, and build stronger connec ons in each community. We will be reading The Great Gatsby by F. Sco Fitzgerald. Copies will be available for pick up at the library.
