SPY’s Community Newsletter #226
(11/16/22)
Sunfield Library Saves Headlines!
The Sunfield Library is taking on a substantial, but important project. With the end of Sunfield’s local paper (The Sunfield Sentinel), a path to preserving its history has finally begun. The paper began printing in 1889 and hosted a weekly paper until 2019. The last issue was December 19, 2019. Owners John and Gloria Nelson operated the business for many years, until their retirement. The business was then purchased by Jerry Maurer, who published the paper until its final issue. Although the paper is no longer in publication, Jerry still fills orders for business forms, cards, and all kinds of personalized items. Full copyright permission was authorized by Jerry to preserve the paper.
A grant from the ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) helped provide the equipment necessary to start the preservation. A professional camera, tripod, laptop computer, software, and photography assistance attachments were provided as part of a MI-83 TLC technology kit. Librarian staff member, James Bell, was given extra hours to undertake the huge project. James is a 2014 Lakewood graduate, who is known for his love of, and excellence with, camera work and technology.
The whole process includes several steps. It begins with taking pictures of each page of a given paper. Those pictures are then cropped and edited for best quality versions. Once they have been sized and saved, they need to be renamed in a user-friendly manner. After they are saved in a JPEG (picture) format, they will then be saved also in a PDF (word document) format. This will allow patrons to be able to search specific names and topics. The goal is not only to save the delicate materials, but also to preserve Sunfield history in a manner that can be accessed by everyone. Patrons will be able to come in and use a library computer to view the archived materials. The newspapers will be saved in a variety of methods to help ensure safe storage. Hard drives, flash drives, and camera memory cards are all types of back-ups utilized.
James has preserved 2019, 2018, and 2017 already. In addition, he is working backward to 1957, which the library has in paper form. Prior to that is saved on microfilm and is also accessible online through the Library of Michigan. Perhaps a grant could transfer those years to hard drive, as well. This is going to be a long, time-consuming project. However, the outcome is going to be extremely beneficial to patrons, as well as local historians.
Michigan Officials Remind Residents To See If They Have Unclaimed Property
The Michigan Department of Treasury has millions of dollars in lost or found or forgotten assets from dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, valuables left inside safe deposit boxes, and stock certificates according to their site.
After these properties are considered abandoned and unclaimed by the bank or company entrusted with them, they are returned to the state.
You can find out if you have unclaimed property by visiting Michigan’s official Unclaimed Property website at:
Contributions
Oren & Rosie Best and Best Tax Service made donations in memory of the following:
Joan Guy
Gordon Schray
Lynn Arnold
Sharri Davis
Fred Hart
Rick Hicks
Sue Curtis
Dale Foltz
Nominations Please
At the SPY’s Annual Meeting of the Membership that will be coming up in January, the election of officers for 2023 will be held. Any SPY member that is interested in serving as an officer in the organization, or would like to nominate someone you think might be interested, please contact either Jeff Gibbs at 517-930-6989, or Renee Strimback at 269-967-5787. Thank you.
Parting Comments
• Deep Thought of the Week: No one will manufacture a lock without a key. Similarly, God won’t give problems without solutions.
• Notable Quote: "He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else."---Benjamin Franklin
• That’s Puny Department: What do you call Old MacDonald when he runs the farm? (E.I.C.E.O.)
• Did You Know Section: Because of the austerity measures following WWII, Queen Elizabeth had to use clothing ration coupons to pay for her wedding dress. She was given hundreds of clothing coupons by brides-to-be to help her, but she had to return the coupon gifts as it was illegal to transfer them.
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.