FAN
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Authors Hit the Art Fair Instead of the Book Fair
On August 21, 2021, I was able to interview a small group of local Michigan authors who participated in signings and selling their books at the Arts & Drafts art fair, held at Ross Park, in Norton Shores. I met author Jean Davis, from Holland, who shared a book signing tent with Lon Hieftje of…
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Teaching an Old Car New Tricks
Cliff Lund, resident of Fruitport, Michigan, has spent the last five years refurbishing and rebuilding his grandfather’s old car. The 1928 Chrysler Plymouth Q was originally used by Cliff’s grandparents, who managed to fit six people inside for a trip from Michigan to their New Mexico homestead. Back in Muskegon, Cliff’s grandfather used…
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Update on FCS Summer Construction Plans
If you’ve gone by the Fruitport schools on Pontaluna Road lately, you’ve probably noticed a lot of construction going on back at the football field and tennis courts. Here’s a brief update on the projects the School District has planned for the summer. In May of last year, voters approved a zero mill increase bond…
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West Michigan K9 Is Coming to Fruitport
Formed in 2013 by Stephen Parent, West Michigan K9 built its first major facility in West Olive, Michigan, in August of 2016. Their need for a new facility arose when their current one was already at full capacity after eight weeks in business. In 2019, after serious conversations about what the company needed, the…
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Come for Breakfast, Stay for Lunch, at the Village Inn!
Connie McKellips and her husband Steve had been looking to buy a restaurant for a few years. When they heard that Suzi’s Village Inn was closing, they thought that would be a great opportunity for them to get started. “Even though it was right in the middle of a pandemic, getting into the restaurant business…
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Local Business Profile: Jersey Mike’s Subs
Fruitport’s very own Jersey Mike’s Subs opened just this April. “We’re Jersey Mike’s. We’re a national brand, franchised in the late ‘80s and quickly growing ever since,” said Matt Bissell, who bought into the franchise and owns the Jersey Mike’s right here on 1664 East Sternberg Road, Suite A2. After nine years of eating…
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Local Business Profile: Marhar Snowboards retail shop
Josh Skiles, co-owner of Marhar Snowboards, started doing business with Nathan Morse years ago to explore a new, adventurous path in their lives. But the young business owners could never have imagined what selling their snowboards would eventually become. Before they built the business, they built and tested their very first snowboard. Skiles…
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Local Business Profile: CJF Saddlery & Upholstery
Started in late 2000 by owner Joel Forrest, CJF Saddlery & Upholstery is a custom leatherwork and repair business. CJF Saddlery began by making horse tack and moved into working with upholstery, among many other things, over the years. The business has moved several times in its history, finally landing here in Fruitport two…
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Local Business Profile: Savage Hog BBQ
Savage Hog BBQ was only a food tent when Dennis Cooper and his wife started the business five years ago. Now, the restaurant occupies a cozy corner of a strip mall on Pontaluna and Airline Road. “A year ago, I was still in my tent,” Cooper recalled, “and when COVID started, I started building…
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Mary Weimer
I only knew Mary a little bit, but I knew her well enough to figure out that she was a pleasant, caring Christian. I had no idea, until I went to her funeral, what an accomplished person she was, too. I found out quite a bit, but I really wish I could have known…
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West Michigan K9 Building New Dog Facility in Fruitport
Fruitport, Michigan—West Michigan K9, a rapidly growing dog training company from West Olive, Michigan, is in process of building a new dog training facility off Airline Highway east of Quarterline Road. At a cost of $2.5 million, the facility will be built of steel on 10 acres of land. The building will house up to…
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Sailors Salute Game Honors America’s Heroes
Sailors Stadium, September 17, Norton Shores–Mona Shores High School put on quite a show, not just by giving fans a great win over the Zeeland West Dux in the OK Green Conference game, but also by honoring America’s heroes from the military, first responders, and frontline health workers with the 2021 Sailors Salute. “Basically, what…
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Veterans’ Memorial Day Drive Hits the Road
For many years, the Fruitport community has gathered to hold a Veterans’ Memorial Day Parade to honor both local vets and those from around the country. Even though COVID-19 shut down the parade in 2020, and hampered organizers again in 2021, Larry Baxter of Baxter’s Towing was able to organize a Veterans’ Memorial Day Drive,…
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New Business Profile: Duell Electric
Duell Electric provides a wide variety of electric services in Fruitport, Grand Haven, Spring Lake, and the surrounding area. The company’s service range includes electrical maintenance, repair, and installation, and generator installation. Owner and founder Patrick Duell originally lived in North Muskegon, then moved to Spring Lake in 1999. He started Duell Electric…
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‘Thank You’ to All Those Who Protect and Support Us During the Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has been very difficult for many people around the world over the last few months. The situation has been the worst for the US in the last two months of that time. We are grateful to God for all of our service workers – police, firefighters, medical workers, our military, and other…
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Fruitport Able to Feed Students for Free as USDA Extends Free Summer Meals
“Great news!!” said FCS Superintendent Bob Szymoniak, in his September 10th letter. “The federal government has extended the summer meals program to December 31, or when the program runs out of money, whichever comes first. ” Following Phase 4 of the FCS COVID-19 Preparedness & Response Plan, the Fruitport School District determined that students would…
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Techno Trojans: Triumph Out of Tough Times
Because of the COVID-19 outbreak, Fruitport’s F.I.R.S.T. Robotics Team, the Techno Trojans, saw the disappointing suspension of the remainder of their competition season. But, they have gained valuable insights and had outstanding achievements, and hope that next season will be better. According to an article by Krystle Wagner of the Grand Haven Tribune, Coach Joe…
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Fruitport Community Schools’ Response to COVID-19
In accordance with the state’s “MI Safe Schools Roadmap”, Fruitport Community Schools have been following the Roadmap’s Phase 4 since they reopened on August 31. Procedures are listed in the FCS COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan for the safety of the attending children and the school staff. Fruitport schools are also working with parents and…
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Local Businesses Hit Hard, Recovering As State Reopens
In late March, Governor Whitmer closed Michigan’s economy due to concerns of spreading COVID-19. Businesses in Muskegon County and the Fruitport area were affected by the statewide shutdown. Many of our small businesses closed their doors or changed their routines to minimize gatherings where coronavirus might spread. Business owners and managers at The Lakes Mall…
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Tim McFarland: Flag-Flyer and Tree-Chopper
One resident who is fondly remembered by our Fruitport Township Family every time we see the iconic U.S. Flag flying proudly at the US-31 and I-96 intersection is our friend, Tim McFarland. He was a resident passionate about keeping the flag flying in honor of the 9/11 victims and our veterans. The late Tim McFarland…