SPY's Newsletter 4/21/25

SPY’s Community Newsletter

#360

(4/21/25)

Disappointing Turnout

Derek Desgranges, who heads up the SPY’s Adopt-A-Highway endeavor, has a rather discouraging report concerning Saturday’s April 5th, Adopt-A-Highway trash pick-up.  The SPY's pick-up trash along M-43 from Round Lake Road on the west side of town to Shaytown Road on the east side of town, three times a year in conjunction with the Michigan Department of Transportation program.  However, for the first pick-up of the season, we had just three people show up to get the job done.  This was a far cry from the usual turnout we have experienced in the past!

So, we would like to send out and EXTRA SPECIAL thanks for the three people that pitched in and did this season’s first trash pick-up last week.  Thank you Derek Desgranges and John & Sandy Fisher, who did a hero’s job covering the four miles involved.  There were 12 big bags of trash collected and well as numerous larger car parts and building materials.

Important Thank You’s

We have some thank-you’s to send out to some wonderful volunteers that stepped forward and took on an important task that needed to be done.  We wish to recognize the SPY’s Scholarship Application Review Committee that is chaired by John Fisher.  This year’s committee consisted of Shari Woodman; Jim & Angie Frizzell; Laura Chappell; Andy Claflin; and Rebeka Woodman.  We thank them for their time and effort that it takes to review all of the material that is submitted by the applicants and to come up with a consensus report to forward on the Community Foundation.  This year’s scholarship and award winners will be announced on Tuesday, May 20th at the Lakewood Senior Awards Night.

2025 SUNFIELD FARMERS PICNIC GRAND MARSHAL NOMINATIONS SOUGHT

The 2025 Sunfield Farmers Picnic Committee is gearing up for another fantastic Picnic for you, the third full weekend of August, 15-17, 2025. The first matter of business this year is to seek nominations for the honor of Grand Marshal and then make the tough decision of choosing just one.

We are requesting your assistance by asking you to place your nominations with the Board for anyone you feel should be given the title of Grand Marshal.  Grand Marshal nominations must be in writing and clearly identify the nominee and why this individual/couple or group should be considered. Include the following information:  What are their ties to the Sunfield Community, their impact on the community, their outstanding qualities?  How long have they been in the area?  How have they given to the community (volunteerism)?   The Board will make this decision on May 7th, so please get your nominations in by Thursday, April 24, 2025.

Looking forward to discovering who you would like to honor, so get your nominations mailed to Sunfield Farmers Picnic, P.O. Box 12, Sunfield, Michigan 48890; emailed to sunfieldfarmerspicnic@gmail.com or find us on Facebook at Sunfield Farmers Picnic Inc.  Please note that previous year’s nominees will be included in this year’s list of candidates.

The Sunfield Farmers Picnic Committee would love to have more input planning this year’s and future year’s festivals.  Whether you are a resident of the Village of Sunfield, the Township of Sunfield or a surrounding area, We Welcome You!  Changes continue to happen, events/activities come and go, but it is the Committee’s goal to keep the Sunfield Farmers Picnic FUN and a great place to come and hang out with family and friends!  Please consider volunteering a couple of hours at this year’s festival.  Remember that many hands make light work!

The Board would also really appreciate having a member of each business, church and organization in Sunfield to be present at the monthly meetings as we make decisions that may affect their business. Your input is important to

Corporate Sponsor Salute---Part Four

One of the things the SPY's feel is important, if not downright essential, is to recognize others in the community who by their actions and deeds demonstrate that they share our values of building the community through service and by providing opportunities for youth.  The SPY's do not have the wherewithal or capabilities to address the multitude of needs that exist for youth today.  We do what we can.

So, when others step forward and give of themselves for the betterment of the community, the SPY's feel this should not be ignored.  For, as it is said, it takes many hands working together to improve the quality of life in a place we call home.

Back in 1998, the SPY's instituted formal "Corporate Sponsor" and “Platinum Sponsor” programs.  Through these programs businesses and individuals could partner with us so we could better meet the increasing cost demands of the many programs we underwrite.  To become a Corporate or Platinum Sponsor meant you contributed at least $500 in that year.

So, with each issue of the SPY’s Community Newsletter, we will continue to spotlight one of these special people to better show them how much we appreciate how much they mean to our youth and community.  This week’s special recognition will be Brian & Becky Haskin and their various entities, Haskin Farms; Hazel Brothers Drainage; Musgrove Grain; and Precision Grade Excavating.  Brian & Becky have been strong community supporters for well over twenty years!  Thank-You!

Parting Comments

·      Deep Thought of the Week:  Optimism is a happiness magnet.  If you stay positive, good things and good people will be drawn to you.

·      Notable Quote: “Sooner or later, the man who wins is the man who thinks he can.”-----Vince Lombardi

·      That’s Puny Department: Five ants rented an apartment with another five ants.  Now they’re tenants.

·      Did You Know Section: While toy commercials are ubiquitous today, they were virtually unheard of before April 30, 1952. That day, a television ad for Mr. Potato Head aired for the first time. George Lerner created an early version of the toy tuber in 1949 and sold the rights to Hassenfeld Brothers (which became Hasbro) three years later. The original package contained 30 plastic accessories, including facial features, hands, and feet, which could be affixed to any real potato or similar vegetable. What transformed the toy into a major success, however, was the innovative TV advertising campaign that soon followed.  The inaugural Mr. Potato Head commercial was the first of its kind to advertise directly to children rather than their parents, revolutionizing the marketing industry. The ad featured a cartoon mascot talking to kids about how to play with Mr. Potato Head and all the fun they could have. More than a million kits were sold in the first year, and the Mr. Potato Head line soon expanded to include a Mrs. Potato Head, Brother Spud, Sister Yam, and many additional parts. When new government regulations in the 1960s forced the company to pivot away from the sharp accessories necessary to puncture real potatoes, Hasbro began selling a plastic potato body with premade holes.

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. 

2.             We are glad to provide this means as a public service to help keep the community informed.

3.            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.