SPY’s Community Newsletter
(12/19/24)
Calendar Dates To Record
With the start of the new year just around the corner, and looking ahead, here are some important dates to pencil in on your 2025 calendar:
· At the SPY’s January regular business meeting that will be held on Tuesday, January 14th, the election of officers for 2025 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 Craig Cappon at 517-331-4005, or Renee Strimback at 269-967-5787.
· The SPY’s annual Wild Game Dinner / Sportsman’s Night will be held on Saturday, February 8th. Remember, this year it will be held at the American Legion Hall in Charlotte.
· Saturday, March 8th. marks the return of the fantastic Sunfield Area Sponsors of Programs for Youth (SPY's) annual Euchre Tournament; or "The Showdown On Main Street" as it is more commonly known. This pasteboard classic will be held at the Sunfield Community Rooms, with the doors opening at 6 PM, and the cards fly at 6:30 PM sharp. Some munchies and refreshments will be furnished. However, each couple is asked to please bring a dessert or a hors d'oeuvre dish, and their preferred drink. There will be a $10 per person entry fee charged. Prizes for top male and female players, as well as various other categories, will be awarded. We will once again be using a progressive format, where the partners change every game and winners advance to another table. This event is open to everyone!
· Saturday, March 15th. is the deadline for submitting applications for any of the 2025 SPY’s / Community Foundation’s scholarship opportunities. Questions? Call John Fisher at 517-648-0969.
· The SPY’s have signed up to work two Texas Hold ‘Em fund raisers this year. The dates are Monday thru Thursday, July 21st thru July 25th. The other Hold ‘Em will be held on Monday and Tuesday, December 22nd and 23rd.
· Also. in March, 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. Detail are still being worked out.
Wild Game Dinner / Sportsman’s Night Mini-Preview
Here is a listing of some of the guns and ammunition that will be up for grabs at this year’s event:
HENRY 360 GOLDEN BOY
WINCHESTER XPR 350 LEGEND
MOSSBERG PATRIOT 450 BUSHMASTER
SAVAGE 220 20 GA GREY THUMBHOLE
ROSSI 22LR BRASS
ROSSI 22LR HARDWOOD WITH BRASS
QTY 2 HERITAGE ROUGH RIDER
410 O/U POINTER
SMITH AND WESSON LADYSMITH 357/38
MOSSBERG 400 LEGEND $450
MOSSBERG 500 FLEX BANTUM SET 20 GA
FEDERAL 22LR 3200 RDS
Contributions
We had a kind-of special donation come our way through the generosity of Andy Claflin and the Sunfield Cycle Shop. Andy has a candy machine that dispenses M & M’s; Skittles; and M & M Peanuts. You know, the kind where you put in a coin---turn the gizmo---and out comes your candy. Andy gave us a call and said he was going to open up his machine and donate the contents to the SPY’s to help kids and the community. Very thoughtful gesture Andy. Thank you!
The County Politics Corner
The following is excerpted from a story in the 12/19/24 issue of the Lansing State Journal: “Weeks after they shot down a proposed large tax increase intended to head off deep budget cuts, Eaton County voters will see a new, slimmer tax proposal on the ballot in May. The Eaton County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday voted to place a 2-mill increase for public safety on the May 6 special election ballot.”
“The new money would be restricted to law enforcement, including staffing and resources for the prosecutor's and sheriff's offices, including animal control, county officials said. That's different than the proposal for up to 3 mills of new operational revenue that voters rejected in the November general election. County leaders said the failed operational millage was needed to address a financial shortfall in the 2025-26 budget year. About 49% of voters were in favor of the increase, and 51% percent were opposed.”
“Without more tax revenue, the county's projected budgeted shortfall would be about $9.5 million in the next fiscal year and $21.5 million the following year, officials said on the county's website.”
SIDE NOTE: So far, this means taxpayers will be faced with at least three additional millage proposals on either the May ballot or by Township or Village governmental action-----The Eaton County proposal-----Additional millage for the Fire District-----and the Lakewood Schools new millage request.
Parting Comments
· Deep Thought of the Week: Small deeds done are better than great deeds planned.
· Notable Quote: “Never argue with an idiot; people watching may not be able to tell the difference.”
· That’s Puny Department: I’ve got an intellectual math problem for you all today if you’re up to it. Here it is----- Why should the number 288 never be mentioned?-----Because it’s two gross!”. (Think about it).
· Did You Know Section: In the 17th century, the Netherlands, through the Dutch East India Company, had control of the tiny, remote archipelago of Banda where all of the nutmeg trees on Earth grew — except for one island, Pulau Rhun, which was under British control. The Dutch were pretty unhappy about that holdout, and spent four years fighting their way onto the island, eventually seizing it in 1621. Then, in 1664, as part of a larger conflict over international trade and shipping, the British sent frigates to New Amsterdam, a marshy Dutch colony and fur trading outpost on the Atlantic coast of North America, to claim it for the British Empire.
Both nations were adamant about taking over these territories — and neither was putting up much resistance at that point — so in 1667, when the Treaty of Breda ended the Second Anglo-Dutch War, they struck a deal. The Netherlands, presented with an opportunity to control the entire world’s nutmeg supply, ceded control of New Amsterdam, which comprised what is now lower Manhattan in New York City, to the British. (Today, neither country has control of either territory — the United States won independence from Great Britain, and the Banda Islands are officially part of Indonesia.)It may seem surprising from a modern perspective: A country traded what became an economic and cultural powerhouse for a volcanic island less than 2 miles long. But at the time, the so-called Spice Islands, which included the Banda archipelago, were extremely valuable territory to European colonial forces, which had been violently competing for shares of the spice trade for more than a century. The remote islands were the only source of many seasonings we take for granted today, including not only nutmeg, but also cinnamon, ginger, cumin, and black pepper.
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
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