SPY’s Community Newsletter
(1/14/24)
Did You Hear About The Invasion?
Having a birthday while there are blizzard-like conditions outside can put a damper on things, but for the venerable Phil Spitzley it helped make his day. Philip turned 95 this past Friday. To help celebrate the momentous occasion, his family decided to use the several inches of snow outside to their advantage. A total of 16 family members and neighbors, including 12 of Phil’s great-grandchildren, turned up at his house Thursday night to build 95 snowmen in his front lawn.
Rachel Haskin, Phil’s granddaughter-in-law, said that she and her family got the call Thursday regarding the plan for the surprise. The group got together and started building the snowmen. It only took them about an hour and a half to finish the project. The end result-----Phil received 95 snowmen in his yard for his 95th birthday on Friday.
The event was even covered by WOOD-TV channel 8 out of Grand Rapids. Happy Birthday Phil!
News From The Sunfield Summer Athletic Association (The SSAA)
Hello Sunfield ball families! The 2024 season is upon us!
In order to keep the SSAA alive and active, we need your help! We need volunteers to run the program or we will cease to exist. These positions involve minimal time commitment, and we have veteran members willing to walk through the season with you! Two of our current openings will be with the Executive Board. These positions must be filled, they are an integral part of the SSAA operation.
We will have a parent meeting Tuesday, January 23rd ,at 7:00 PM, at the Sunfield Community Rooms on Main Street to discuss the upcoming season. We will also be electing officers for the 2024 SSAA Board.
Sign-ups will start sometime in the first two weeks of February. Sign-ups will be available in person and online. More information will be provided once we get closer to that time.
Also, a reminder that we accept donations to share within our community! We accept ball equipment, pants, cleats and anything else you feel can help our kids during the season!
For questions, or for more information on available opportunities to volunteer within the program, or if you have items you would like to donate please reach out via email or by texting 616-902-8695.
Notice #1
Be sure to check out the flyer at the bottom of this Community Newsletter for information about the Lakewood Lions Annual Pancake Supper coming up on Saturday, January 27th.
Contributions
· Ron & Marlene McDiarmid renewed their Platinum Sponsorship for 2024.
· John & Sandra Fisher donated in memory of Jean Buche-Woltz-Gray.
We sincerely thank you for your dedication to the community and for helping us help kids and our various local programs!!
Notice #2
· The next Texas Hold ‘Em event the SPY’s are scheduled to work is coming up on Monday, February 5th through Thursday, February 8th. What do you say, give event chairman Jeff Gibbs a call at 517-930-6989 and volunteer for a shift. What’s involved is easy and essential to help underwrite the SPY’s various community programs.
Parting Comments
· Deep Thought of the Week: The wise don’t expect to find life worth living---they make it that way.
· Notable Quote: “The actions of men are the best interpretations of their thoughts.”
· That’s Puny Department: The other day a buddy of mine got in trouble with his girlfriend. “How did that happen?”, I asked. He replied, “All I told her was that she drew her eyebrows on too high. She looked surprised.” (You might have to think about this one).
· Did You Know Section: The J.W. Westcott is the only boat in the United States with its own ZIP code. The 45-foot steel boat works 24 hours a day, delivering mail, packages and sometimes pizza to the giant ships that chug daily through the Detroit River, headed anywhere on the Great Lakes. “We deliver Amazon. We’re delivering all kinds of stuff to every ship that goes by our station, pretty much.”
The Westcott has been an official marine U.S. Post Office since 1895. The company was founded in 1874, when it used a rowboat to deliver messages to passing ships through its “mail-in-the-pail” technique. 144 years later, the boat is still delivering mail in the pail. Of course, there are a lot fewer letters than there once was. There are a lot more packages, instead.
The Westcott works from April until about Christmas Eve, usually remaining within a mile of its station, near the Ambassador Bridge to Canada. The boat meets every freighter on the Detroit River – which is basically every freighter delivering cargo from the upper Great Lakes to Lake Erie.
“When we’re out there delivering, we’re usually bringing somebody some happiness,” the Captain said. “If you really want to see happiness, deliver 20 pizzas.”
Notices
1. If there is any organization or business out there that has something they would like to advertise or promote, please feel free to submit it to this Newsletter and we will help publicize it. There is no charge. We are glad to provide this means as a public service to help keep the community informed.
2. If you are looking for further information about the SPY’s events---Corporate or Platinum Sponsorship information---scholarship forms---youth sports reimbursement forms---past SPY newsletters---etc.---just go to the SPY website at www.sunfieldareaspys.com.
3. NOTE: If you know of anyone who would like to receive these SPY’s Newsletters, just send me an email at john.sandrafisher@gmail.com with their email address and we will add them to the distribution list.