SPY's Newsletter 11/18/2025

            SPY’s Community Newsletter

#383

(11/18 /25)

Thanksgiving Greetings

On Thanksgiving and always, may you and your loved ones savor all that is rich in life.  May the festivities come alive with a cornucopia of hope, faith and goodwill.  Here’s wishing that your Thanksgiving is full of love, warmth, and extra special moments.

Feature #1

Community Christmas Basket Distribution Is Coming Up

The Lakewood Community Council has once again requested help with the annual Christmas Basket Project for the Lakewood School District.  Drivers that are familiar with the Sunfield area are needed on Saturday, December 13h, at 9 AM.  It will take just a couple hours of your time, at the most.  Please mark that date and time on your calendar and make plans to help spread some holiday cheer.

The Christmas Basket project helps nearly 200 families in the Lakewood area.  Volunteers are needed to deliver the baskets to the designated families in the Sunfield area.

For those of you that have helped with this distribution in the past, please note that the Christmas Basket pick-up location has changed.  For years the Lakewood Community Council have used the Methodist Church in downtown Lake Odessa.  But, this year they will be using the Living Gospel Church which is located in the northern part of Lake Odessa.  You come into Lake O and go North on Jordan Lake Avenue.  Turn right on Rochester Street, which is just across the street from the Fair Grounds sign.  For Further information, please contact John Fisher at 517-648-0969.  Thank you!

Feature #2

News From The Fire Department Auxiliary

The Sunfield Fire Department Auxiliary will once again be “decorating the village” for Christmas by wrapping the utility poles on Main Street with garland and lights. They will again be offering the opportunity for the community to purchase custom-made decorations in memory, or honor of a loved one, or group, for just $10.  The name of the person you’re honoring will be displayed on the garland.

Feature #3

News From The Library

Kate’s Toy Box at the Sunfield District Library is once again collecting Toys for Lakewood’s Community Baskets. The box was started in Kate Mapes’ memory and is a great way to give back to the area families. Unwrapped toys, clothes, and children’s items will be collected until December 1^st. They then will be picked up and distributed to local families, through the Lakewood Community Foundation.

Feature #4

On Saturday March 21^st. the Sunfield Area Sponsors of Programs for Youth (The SPY’s) will once again host a 9-pin no tap Bowling Tournament / fund-raiser to benefit the SPY’s various youth and community programs.  This event is open to everyone!  It will be held at the Buddy’s On The Beach Bowling Alley in Lake Odessa.  Contact event Chairman Jeff Gibbs (517-930-6989) for details or to sign-up.

9 Pin no tap Bowling event

To benefit Sunfield Sponsors of Programs for Youth (SPY’s)

Saturday March 21^st., 2026 @ NOON (register by 11:30am)

Buddy’s on the Beach

Cost $25 each bowler (3 games)

Prizes and 50/50 drawings

Limited to first 50 bowlers, text or call

Jeff Gibbs @ (517) 930-6989

Feature #5-----Contributions

·      The following donations came in in memory of Mary Sandborn:

Carolyn Walker

Karen VanHouten

Howard & Kay Meyers

·      John & Sandra Fisher made contributions in memory of Ken Black and Lin Mater.

Feature #6

At the last meeting of the Sunfield Area Sponsors of Programs for Youth (The SPY’s) the membership appropriated $1,052 to cover the fees associated with Sunfield area youth participating in the following non-high school youth sports programs:

Golf

Flag Football

Soccer

Volleyball

Cheer

Football

Feature #7

The next Texas Hold ‘Em fund raiser the SPY’s are scheduled to work will take place on Monday, December 22^nd. and Tuesday, December 23^rd. at The Event Spot in Lansing.  Chip seller volunteer helpers will be needed.  Be watching for details.

Parting Comments

·      Deep Thought of the Week:  Friendship should not be thought of as something we get---it is something we give.

·      Notable Quote: “Middle age is when you still believe you’re gonna feel better in the morning!”

·      That’s Puny Department:  Question-Of-The-Week:  What is the difference between a nicely dressed man on a tricycle and a poorly dressed man on a bicycle?”  Give up?-----A tire.  Get it?  A tire.

·      Did You Know Section:  Fred C. "Old Wag" Waghorne, Sr. (1866 – 1956) was an ice hockey referee and organizer in Canada. He also made significant contributions to lacrosse in that country.  He is a member of both the Hockey Hall of Fame and the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame.  He is also referred to as “The Father of the Faceoff”.  Waghorne is best known for his prolific career as a referee. He is known to have officiated 2,400 hockey games and 1,500 lacrosse matches. Many of the decisions he made on the ice rink became long-term rules in both amateur and professional ice hockey. 

Waghorne is credited with several changes and innovations to ice hockey rules, such as:

·      The use of a whistle instead of the customary cow-bell to stop play when fans started bringing their own cowbells to disrupt game play.

·      The practice of dropping the puck from a few feet up at faceoff rather than placing it directly on the ice, which limited player contact with the referee's shins and ankles during faceoffs.

·      The ruling that if a half of a broken hockey puck entered the net, no goal was counted - a rule that led to the development of one-piece pucks.

Final 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 Community Newsletters, just send me an email at john.sandrafisher@gmail.com with their email address and we will add them to the mailing list.