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
August 29, 2024
Dear Parents and Guardians,
I want to start by saying thank you to all who were able to vote during the August 6th election. While we were disappointed that the bond proposal on the ballot did not pass, we were heartened by the fact that support was strong, and the defeat was by a very small margin. We greatly appreciate the support we received from so many in our community. Thank you!
Given this strong support, we believe that the proposal that a steering committee of parents, community members and district staff put together reflects the needs of our students and community, and are considering presenting a bond proposal to the community again next May. We also want to ensure that the priorities that the steering committee identified, aligns with our community’s vision for the district. With that in mind, we are seeking additional input regarding the main elements of the proposal.
To that end, we have put together a brief survey and ask you to please give us your feedback by Monday, September 16, 2024 Since we truly want to get feedback from our entire community, but our ability to connect with all stakeholders is limited, I would ask you to please share the survey link with your family, friends and neighbors that live in Allendale, but who do not have children in Allendale Public Schools at this time.
You can access the survey by using the QR code below, or by following this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/P7RF33X
Thank you so much for taking the time to complete the survey. Your input is vital and important to us as we look to improve our school community!
Sincerely,
Garth Cooper Superintendent
SEPTEMBER 10:00 AM - 11:00
3 PM - 6 PM
Local Events
*Please check with location or event before attending as
may have changed since
26 + 27
Local Events
Baby Storytime at the Library at 9:30am
NB Market Place: at NB Outlets, 11185 84th Ave from 10am - 5pm
Moms with Moms Group at the Library 10am 27
GVSU Laker Con 2024 at 10582 S Campus Dr at 11am, free to the public 27 - 29 24
AHS Varsity Football vs Sparta at 7pm 27
28 Fall Pancake Wreath Class at Mug Shots at 3pm, registration required, $60 to attend
28 GVSU Football vs. West Florida at Lubbers Stadium at 3pm
30 Storytime at the Library at 10am
Weekly Events
Trivia at Peppino’s Pizzeria + Sports Grill at 6pm
Trail Point Run Club meeting at 5:45pm, start at 6pm
Trivia at Trail Point at 7pm
Karaoke at Main St Pub starting at 8:30pm
Walking Fit with Ivy Rehab at 5:30pm
Trivia at Main St Pub starting at 8:30pm Karaoke at Peppino’s Pizzeria & Sports Grill at 9pm
Lessons + Line Dancing at Embassy Bar + Grill at 7pm
Senior Fit Time at Love Inc at 11am, all abilities welcome Trivia at Farmhaus Cider at 7pm (paused for now, continues in April)
*Please check with location or event before attending as information may have changed since publication
By Kathy Hanes | Allendale Historian
Back to school: Let’s Learn Together!
With school back in session, I thought it would be interesting to look back at the educational changes Allendale has seen in the past 175 years.
The early years (1850 to 1930)
A one room schoolhouse was common in rural communities, such as Allendale, where there were 10 di erent one room schoolhouses. The buildings were built on rented or donated farmland and would house rst through eighth grade in one or two rooms. The teacher was often a recent graduate that would teach for a couple of years prior to getting married. There was one teacher for all 8 grades! And they were expected to not only teach, but take on the role of nurse, counselor, janitor and disciplinarian.
The buildings were simple structures that most often resembled homes in the community. In the late 1800’s, the state issued standard plans for the one room schoolhouse that included lighting, blackboards, desks and a coat, or cloak room. In addition to a learning center, a one room school was also a host to community meetings, worship services, weddings, family gatherings and funerals. It was the hub of the community and drew people together. In some ways schools still draw people together with sporting, academic and performing arts events.
Consolidating schools – (1930 to 1955)
As the Allendale Community grew there was a movement to consolidate schools. This was a shared vision with most communities as there were demands for better education. As reliable transportation became more readily available, consolidation of the country schools moved students into one building. This signaled the beginning of the end of the one room school. Here is a list of one room schools that were in Allendale:
THE LITTLE RED SCHOOL – 64TH AVENUE AND PARKER STREET. This was the original log cabin school built in the 1840’s along the stagecoach road. Students moved to Center School in the late 1800’s
CENTER SCHOOL – LAKE MICHIGAN DRIVE east of 68th AVENUE sat on the north side of LMD across from the current township o ces. Allendale Law O ce is located on the site.
WHITE SCHOOL, 68th AVENUE AND WARNER STREET. The building burned in 1927 but was promptly replaced. Part of the structure still stands and is used as a private residence.
PARISH SCHOOL, 84th AVENUE AND BUCHANAN STREET. The Parish school building was moved east on Buchanan Street and is a private residence.
BLAKENEY SCHOOL - BLISS STREET AND 44th AVENUE. Blakeney School was moved west a short distance to the north end of 46th Avenue. The building is now a private residence.
VAN WESTENBURG – GVSU CAMPUS. The school building originally sat on the GVSU campus, but a portion of the structure was disassembled and believed to have been moved down Pierce Street to a residence where it still stands today.
BASS RIVER –Originally Bass River sat where the current gravel pits are located. But dredging the gravel and sand from the river in the early 1900’s brought the town to ruin. Some say there are structures and artifacts buried in the gravel pits, including their one room school.
BROTHERTON –NW CORNER OF 68TH AVENUE AND PIERCE ST. This is a landmark school structure that is still standing today. It is currently a private residence.
STAR – PIERCE STREET BETWEEN 84TH AND 88TH AVENUE. The original structure no longer exists, but there is a private home that sits on the site.
CURRY – 56th AVENUE SOUTH OF LAKE MICHIGAN DRIVE. Currently used as apartment housing.
TUTTLE – WARNER AVENUE BETWEEN 60TH AND 56th AVENUE. The building is currently used as a private residence.
CHRISTIAN SCHOOL –64th AVENUE AND LAKE MICHIGAN DRIVE. The original building, built in 1915, was used until 2007 when they relocated further south on 64th Avenue. Family Fare sits on the original site.
Allendale schools gradually consolidated all their rural schools during the 1950’s, with Allendale Public School built in 1955 on Lake Michigan Drive. But even after consolidating schools, the new building still only included classrooms for rst through eighth grade. Students wishing to attend high school could choose to attend either Coopersville, Zeeland or Hudsonville high school.
All In One School – (1956 to 1997)
Because students were leaving Allendale to attend high school, community leaders saw the need to provide secondary education locally. In 1972 Allendale High School graduated its rst group of seniors. Since they had previously only provided classes through eighth grade, the class of 1972 was also the rst freshman class at Allendale High School, the rst sophomore class, the rst junior class and nally, the rst AHS class of graduating seniors. From 1972 until 1997, kindergarten through 12th grade were all under one roof.
During this time (1960) Grand Valley State College was established and chose to locate in Allendale township on
property situated along the Grand River. GVSC accepted 225 students in the rst class and recent data shows that over 22,500 students are currently enrolled at GVSU. The college became a university in 1987. GVSU continues to add to the Allendale Campus and has a campus in downtown Grand Rapids, as well as satellite campuses in surrounding communities.
Growth Brings Change (1997 to present)
As Allendale became a thriving community the need for additional space was evident. Can you say portables? As the community grew and technology evolved, the need for updated buildings was met in 1997 with the building of Allendale High School/Middle School on 68th Avenue.
A new Elementary building, Intermediate School and Middle School soon followed. The addition of an Early Childhood Center completed the current school campus on Learning Lane, located west of 68th Avenue on Pierce Street. By 2010 the original Lake Michigan Drive building sat empty. Life Stream Church purchased the former school, and it has been renovated and now houses not only Life Stream Church, but a dance studio, a thrift store, and a daycare among other things.
Schools continue to change with learning styles, technology and provisions that I have di culty understanding. But the common thread through all the years is building better for our children’s education. I read a quote recently that helps me get a grasp on the reality of it all. “Do not con ne your children to your own learning, for they were born in another time.” May we all be reminded of that and continue to be the village that raises thinkers, doers and movers.
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F A I R F A I R
Q: I Think I Scratched My Eye. What Can I Do To Help it At Home?
Scratching your eye is the worst! The pain can be debilitating and you end up being severely limited in what you can comfortably do until it heals. These things never seem to happen at a convenient time either so if it’s outside normal office hours, you could be looking for ways to help the pain at home until you can get it seen.
My own daughter had this happen recently and these are the 3 things we did at home to help: Manage pain with Tylenol and/or Ibuprofen
Wear sunglasses to help with light sensitivity
Use a TON of artificial tears! (I recommend preservative free)
These tips should help alleviate some of the immediate discomfort but it’s always a good idea to get seen by an eye doctor to prevent any infection or other issues from occuring. Also, if the scratch is severe enough it could require more advanced treatment to help it heal. These treatments can include amniotic membranes, bandage contact lenses, or specialized eye drops (dilation or antibiotics).
Check out this video to learn more about these treatments: https://youtu.be/_Rxclpo2KA4
As always, when in doubt, give us a call (616-895-2020) and I am happy to help!
BizStream Recognized on Inc. 5000 List for Second Time
BizStream is honored to have been named to the 2024 Inc. 5000 list for the second time, ranking No. 3,921 with a three-year revenue growth of 117%, re ecting the hard work and dedication of our incredible team.
For the second time, BizStream makes the Inc. 5000, at no. 3,921 in 2024, with three-year revenue growth of 117%!
ALLENDALE, MI, August 13, 2024 – Inc. revealed today that BizStream ranks No. 3,921 on the 2024 Inc. 5000, its annual list of the fastest-growing private companies in America. The prestigious ranking provides a data-driven look at the most successful companies within the economy’s most dynamic segment—its independent, entrepreneurial businesses. Microsoft, Meta, Chobani, Under Armour, Timberland, Oracle, Patagonia, and many other household-name brands gained their rst national exposure as honorees on the Inc. 5000.
We’re thrilled to be recognized on the Inc. 5000 list as one of the fastest-growing companies in the U.S. This honor re ects the dedication, innovation, and hard work of our amazing team. Our growth comes from strong relationships with our clients and our commitment to delivering services and products that meet their evolving needs. We’re excited to keep moving forward and are grateful for the support of our clients, partners, and incredible team.
Mark Schmidt, founder of BizStream
The Inc. 5000 class of 2024 represents companies that have driven rapid revenue growth while navigating in ationary pressure, the rising costs of capital, and seemingly intractable hiring challenges. Among this year’s top 500 companies, the average median three-year revenue growth rate is 1,637 percent. In all, this year’s Inc. 5000 companies have added 874,458 jobs to the economy over the past three years.
Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company pro les and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, location, and other criteria, go to inc.com/inc5000. All 5000 companies are featured on Inc.com starting Tuesday, August 13, and the top 500 appear in the new issue of Inc. magazine, available on newsstands beginning Tuesday, August 20.
One of the greatest joys of my job is going through the Inc. 5000 list. To see all of the intriguing and surprising ways that companies are transforming sectors, from health care and AI to apparel and pet food, is fascinating for me as a journalist and storyteller. Congratulations to this year’s honorees, as well, for growing their businesses fast despite the economic disruption we all faced over the past three years, from supply chain woes to in ation to changes in the workforce.
Mike Hofman, Editor-in-Chief, Inc.
More about Inc. and the Inc. 5000 Methodology
Companies on the 2024 Inc. 5000 are ranked according to percentage revenue growth from 2020 to 2023. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2020. They must be U.S.-based, privately held, for-pro t, and independent—not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies—as of December 31, 2023. (Since then, some on the list may have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2020 is $100,000; the minimum for 2023 is $2 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons. Growth rates used to determine company rankings were calculated to four decimal places.
Inc. Business Media is the leading multimedia brand for entrepreneurs. Through its journalism, Inc. aims to inform, educate, and elevate the pro le of our community: the risk-takers, the innovators, and the ultra-driven go-getters who are creating our future. Inc.’s award-winning work achieves a monthly brand footprint of more than 40 million across a variety of channels, including events, print, digital, video, podcasts, newsletters, and social media. Its proprietary Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since its launch as the Inc. 100 in 1982, analyzes company data to rank the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The recognition that comes with inclusion on this and other prestigious Inc. lists, such as Female Founders and Power Partners, gives the founders of top businesses the opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. For more information, visit inc.com.
Inc. 5000 Conference & Gala
For more information on the Inc. 5000 Conference & Gala, to be held from October 16 to 18 in Palm Desert, California, please visit: https://events.inc.com/2024IncConference
About BizStream
BizStream is a digital agency focused on brands, websites, and products. We specialize in strategy, custom design, and complex implementations that deliver results and make our customers long-term raving fans. We have extensive experience with a wide range of online tools and technologies, and we’re one of the most respected CMS partners in the world. bizstream.com
